Country Radio Seminar has announced the June edition of its CRS360 webinar series, titled “Tame the Tech, Unleash the Potential: How AI Can Be Your Ally in Country Radio.” The webinar, scheduled for June 12 at 1 p.m. CST, will explore the potential for artificial intelligence in country radio.

The webinar will look into how AI can fill operational gaps, assist in creativity, streamline workflows, personalize experiences and enhance audience engagement. Furthermore, the series will highlight important findings in CRS’s AI in Media Study and offer insights into leveraging AI to benefit the industry.

“AI continues to be a major topic for our industry, and CRS covered it comprehensively this year, with four different sessions during our three days together. This technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace in real-time, so CRS360 for June will partner with Futuri to continue the conversation and education,” says RJ Curtis, Executive Director of CRS.

The webinar is free to attend, but registration is required.

Gulf Coast Jam, presented by Jim Beam, wrapped its sold-out 2024 festival this past weekend. Approximately 120,000 country music fans from all 50 states and 10 foreign countries gathered in Panama City Beach, Florida from Thursday (May 30)–Sunday (June 2) for the annual event.

Headliner Parker McCollum got the party started on Thursday night, along with Flatland Cavalry, Corey Kent, Sadie Bass and 2023 Jim Beam Welcome Sessions winner Midnight South. On Friday, Russell Dickerson, Chase Matthew, Kidd G, Heartland and Shelby Darrall hit the stage.

Before Jelly Roll stepped up for his headlining set that night, Gulf Coast Jam hosted Major General Michael A. Valle, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region (CONR) and First Air Force (Air Forces Northern & Air Forces Space) from Tyndall Air Force Base, as he administered the oath of enlistment to 15 new Airmen and Guardians. Following the oath-taking, Valle introduced Technical Sergeant Melissa Lackore from the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band at Langley Air Force Base to sing the national anthem as the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Eglin Air Force Base executed a flyover featuring F-16 and F-15 fighter jets.

After torrential downpours drenched the festival grounds on Saturday morning, headliner Cody Johnson brought the energy with his evening performance. Priscilla Block, Austin Snell and Billy Currington also took the stage. Before Currington’s show, Gulf Coast Jam Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady and COO Mark Shelton were joined by Jim Beam’s Eighth Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe for a celebratory toast. Unfortunately, Peyton Porter and Chandler Flint’s sets were cancelled due to the weather.

“This amazing team braves crazy Florida storms (just one, thankfully) and heat to put on this incredible event,” says Sheldon. “We are thankful to Jim Beam and all of our sponsors, VisitPamanaCityBeach.com and especially the city of Panama City Beach and our wonderful residents for supporting us year after year.”

Nate Smith, Shane Smith & The Saints, John Morgan, Deana Carter and 2024 Jim Beam Welcome Sessions winner Gage Cowart helped to close out the event on Sunday. That night, the space was packed for Morgan Wallen‘s performance. After having to reschedule last year, he did not disappoint with his 90-minute show.

Each evening, 300 choreographed drones lit up the sky with messages celebrating country music and patriotism, including one that spelled out the first headliner for Gulf Coast Jam 2025.

“We are so thankful to the artists, their teams, our crews who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and especially our jammers for giving us a sold-out festival,” says Lovelady. “We had an incredible four days and nights of music, and we can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Four-day tickets for the 2025 festival are on sale now, with headliners and full lineup to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, click here.

Maddie Kerr, songwriter and lead vocalist of Nashville rock group Mercury, has signed a worldwide co-publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing. The deal, effective immediately, includes her full catalog and all future works.

The Franklin, Tennessee native developed the band, whose music emphasizes her songwriting as a form of survival and a way of finding clarity. Their singles “Trying” and “Woolgathering” drew attention in 2023 from publications such as Billboard, Nylon, Paste Magazine, Under The Radar and more.

Kerr’s latest three-track project, Together We Are One, You And I, is set for release on June 7 via Big Loud Rock. The collection features tunes “Born In Early May,” “Special” and “Crick,” and will be accompanied by a short film directed by Harrison Shook. Recorded in Asheville, North Carolina with producer Alex Farrar, the collection pushes her passionate rock writing toward new heights as she processes and makes sense of some intense feelings. Additionally, Kerr will join Dreamer Boy on dates across the country from June 7–18, and perform with Mercury for their first headlining Nashville show at The Blue Room on June 28.

“Maddie is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of creator that exemplifies why so many of us get into the music business—to be part of something special and irreplicable,” says Melissa Spillman, VP of A&R, Concord Music Publishing Nashville. “She exudes an artistry that is rare and compelling, and I am so proud to add her to our Concord roster.”

“Working with the Concord team has been an incredible honor and one of my most treasured experiences,” shares Kerr. “They are all so excited about music and passionate about their people. I feel so seen and accounted for and am so excited to continue my work with them!”

Zach Bryan‘s “Pink Skies” snags the top debut on the country streaming songs chart this week, landing at No. 3 with 30 million streams, according to Luminate data.

Post Malone and Morgan Wallen‘s “I Had Some Help” remains at No. 1 with 42 million new streams, adding to 172 million ATD, followed by Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” at No. 2 with 34 million streams, adding to 217 million ATD. Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” falls to No. 4 with 15 million new streams, adding to 772 million ATD, while Wallen’s “Last Night” rests at No. 5 with 13 million streams, adding to 1.41 billion ATD.

The top five stay the same on the country albums chart.

Wallen’s One Thing At A Time persists at the top with 73K in total consumption (1.3K album only/92 million song streams), as his Dangerous: The Double Album continues at No. 2 with 45K (339 album only/58 million song streams). Bryan’s self-titled collection holds No. 3 with 37K (2.3K album only/46 million song streams), followed by his American Heartbreak at No. 4 32K (906 album only/40 million song streams). Beyoncé‘s Cowboy Carter claims No. 5 again with 26K (1.9K album only/30 million song streams).