Mandy Barnett and Kelly Sutton will host this year’s SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame Awards.

The 23rd annual event, presented by Springer Mountain Farms, will take place on Aug. 25 at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in the Historic Municipal Auditorium. As previously announced, this year’s inductees include Debbie Cheek Carroll, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Private Practice), MusiCares, Belmont University; Paige Conners, CBS Records/Sony Music Nashville, Warner Bros. Records Nashville, Paul Worley Productions, Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257; Cris Lacy, Warner Music Nashville; Margie McGahey, WSM Radio/Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Association,101.7 The WORM; Sherry Oakley, BMI; and Carla Wallace, Big Yellow Dog.

Tickets for the event are on sale now. For partnership and program ad opportunities, reach out to Rachel Guttmann here.

Ty Herndon has signed exclusively with Universal Attractions Agency (UAA).

UAA will spearhead Herndon’s global representation across all major entertainment verticals, including live touring, film, television, theatrical Broadway productions and professional speaking engagements with Gabe Israel acting as responsible agent.

Herndon launched his career at the Opryland theme park as a member of The Tennessee River Boys. After signing with Epic Records, Herndon skyrocketed to solo fame in 1995 with the chart-topping single “What Mattered Most,” the first of his 17 Billboard charting hits. He released his memoir, What Mattered Most, on March 31 via Dey Street Books.

“Ty Herndon is a rare, generational talent whose voice, story, and artistry transcend the boundaries of a single genre,” says Israel. “From filling music venues to moving audiences with his deeply personal story of resilience, Ty’s potential across touring, television, film, and Broadway is limitless. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the UAA family and to build an expansive new chapter for an artist who has already given so much to country music and American culture.”

“I am incredibly excited to partner with the visionary team at Universal Attractions Agency,” shares Herndon. “As I look back on 30 years in this business, I feel more energized than ever to create, perform, and share my story. Whether it’s on a concert stage, a theater marquee, or a television screen, this partnership is about breaking new ground and connecting with people in ways that impact hearts and minds.”

The AUDION Foundation, a new nonprofit dedicated to supporting Nashville’s emerging creative community, has announced a list of industry professionals who will serve as mentors in its inaugural Creative Mentorship Program.

AUDION’s Founding Mentor Class has earned Grammy awards and nominations, RIAA Diamond Certifications, CMA, ACM, BMI, and SESAC Song of the Year honors, SESAC Songwriter of the Year nods, CMA’s Triple Play Awards, BMI Millionaire Awards, BMI Multi-Platinum awards, Golden Globe and CMT Award nominations, and Dove Awards. Their work encompasses more than 30 No. 1 songs, and inclusion in countless films, thousands of TV episodes and commercials, millions of records and video games sold worldwide, and billions of streams.

“Every successful creative can point to someone who reached back to pull them forward at a pivotal moment in their journey – someone who changed the trajectory of their career,” says Zac Koffler, president of the AUDION Foundation. “This program exists to create more of those moments. Nashville has long been defined by creatives supporting other creatives and industry leaders elevating up-and-comers, and we are honored to continue that tradition in a highly intentional and impactful way. Every mentor participating in this program understands a simple truth: careers are often shaped by people willing to believe in you before the rest of the world does. Together, they represent the creative heartbeat of Music City.”

Spearheaded by AUDION Foundation Team Members Koffler, Martha Kenny, James Dail and Max Abrams, the Creative Mentorship Program is designed to meet creatives wherever they are in their own journeys and amplify their efforts through unique mentorship opportunities such as co-writes, creative collaborations, career conversations, and real-world industry opportunities. The program will launch later this year with an inaugural cohort of 10 selected mentees who will each collaborate with up to six mentors. The number of program participants will grow in future years.

Applications for AUDION’s Creative Mentorship Program are available now. Participation is free, and applicants must be 18 years of age or older and reside within 30 miles of Nashville.

The 2026 AUDION Founding Mentor Class:
Anna Wilson – Artist, Songwriter
Anthony L. Smith – Songwriter, Producer, Publisher, Manager
Austin Nivarel – Songwriter, Producer, Multi-Instrumentalist
Belles – Artist, Songwriter
Derek George – Songwriter, Producer, Musician, Publisher
Dwayne Wright – Songwriter, Producer, Musician, MD
Emily West – Artist, Songwriter
Gabe Lee – Artist, Songwriter
Gina Waters Miller – Music & Leadership Strategist, Talent Manager
Greg Camp – Artist, Songwriter, Composer, Producer
Greg Lucid – President, Lucid Creative Services
Haley Teske – Booking Agent
Heather Morgan – Songwriter
Jake Hoot – Artist, Songwriter
James Marsh Jr. – Director of Radio Accounts, Warner Records Nashville
James Otto – Artist, Songwriter
Jamie Moore – Songwriter, Producer
Jeff Cohen – Songwriter
JoJamie Harr – EVP, Recorded Music, BMG
Lance Alleman – Booking Agent
Madeline Edwards – Artist, Songwriter
Mike Reynolds – Artist & Label Management, MNJR
Monty Powell – Songwriter, Producer
Norman Jacob – Artist & Label Management, MNJR
Phil Hughley – Producer, Songwriter, Artist
Rachel Whitney – Streaming Executive
Rudy Newman – Artist & Label Management, MNJR
Tammi Kidd – Songwriter
Wendy Moten – Artist, Vocalist
Wil Merrell – Artist, Vocalist, ‘Artistpreneur’

Eric Church & Epiphone Unveil Hummingbird Dark

Eric Church and Epiphone have partnered to release the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Eric Church Hummingbird Dark, a special limited-edition signature acoustic-electric guitar modeled after Church’s beloved Gibson Hummingbird. The guitar is available now.

“For me, a great guitar is about expression—finding something honest and putting it out into the world,” says Church. “We’ve been working on this Epiphone Hummingbird Dark, and it’s been with me out on the road for the past two years, part of that journey every single night. It’s where songs take shape, where ideas turn into something real. I’m excited for other players to get their hands on it and see where it leads them, because that’s what this is all about—finding your voice and having the right partner to help you say it.”

 

Marc Scibilia Visits CMHOFM Songwriting Camp

Marc Scibilia recently visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s intermediate-to-advanced Songwriting Camp as a guest artist, where he answered questions about his career and performed “By Your Side” and “More to This.”

 

Blake Whiten Celebrates Album Release With National TV Debut & Hometown Release Show

Blake Whiten celebrated the release of his debut album, Something To Say, with his national television debut on NBC’s TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle. Live from New York City, Whiten performed his current single “Bet On That.” Watch the performance here.

He returned home to Six Mile, South Carolina on Sunday (July 5) for a celebration that drew hundreds of people to Durham’s Convenience Mart for a performance, bonfire and more.

 

Charlie Reece Signs With Red Clay Cartel In Partnership With ADA

Charlie Reece has signed with Red Clay Cartel in partnership with ADA, the independent label and artist services arm of Warner Music Group.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this partnership with ADA and Warner Music Group and to be part of the launch of Red Clay Cartel,” says Reece. “It means a lot to have the opportunity for my music to be heard and to keep building from here.”

“We’re excited to partner with Red Clay Cartel as they begin building their roster with Charlie Reece,” adds MaryLynne Drexler, Global Head of Content Acquisition and Business and Legal Affairs. “They have a clear artist-focused vision and a long-term approach to development, and we look forward to supporting their growth and future releases.”