Kat Higgins. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

ACM Song of the Year-nominated songwriter Kat Higgins has renewed her publishing deal with BMG.

Higgins’ recent No. 1 single, “The Painter” by Cody Johnson, is nominated for Song of the Year at the upcoming 2024 Academy of Country Music Awards. She also penned the 2021 No. 1 “Knowing You” by Kenny Chesney.

Born and raised in Canada, Higgins grew up playing and touring full time with her family’s Irish folk band, which introduced her to the world of songwriting and eventually led to her settling in Nashville. Since landing in Music City, she has penned songs cut by Carrie Underwood, Runaway June, The Lone Bellow and more, and has also begun releasing her own music.

Koe Wetzel. Photo: Jody Domingue

Genre-disruptor Koe Wetzel will release his next album 9 Lives on July 19 via Columbia Records.

Photo: John Park / Design by Dalton Latham, Courtesy of Columbia Records

The 13-track project is set to take fans beyond the party animal stories Wetzel has become known for in his near-decade of combining his country roots in Texas with his rock, hip-hop and grunge sensibilities. 9 Lives was produced predominantly by Gabe Simon (Noah Kahan’s Stick Season) alongside a lineup of trusted collaborators like Josh Serrato, Carrie K and Sam Harris (X Ambassadors).

In addition to the already-released lead single “Damn Near Normal,” the album includes emotional ballads such as “Sweet Dreams” and “Hatchet,” rowdy singalongs like “Casamigos” and “Bar Song” and Wetzel’s signature wit with tunes like “Leigh.” Also featured is a cover of the late Keith Gattis‘ “Reconsider.”

“I want fans to know that there’s a different side of me, not just the sex, drugs, and rock & roll Koe that they may have heard about online,” Wetzel says. “I’ve grown up a little bit. I’m no longer the 20-year-old kid that’s partying down and getting thrown in jail all the time. 9 Lives reveals a vulnerable side that people may not be used to hearing.”

To introduce the new album, Wetzel released a funny album trailer of his nine personas. Fans can also take a quiz to discover which Wetzel character is most like them.

Wetzel will take all nine of his lives on the road this year on the recently announced “Damn Near Normal World Tour,” as well as prominent sets at Rock the Country, Hangout, Country Jam, Country Thunder Wisconsin, WE Fest, Watershed and more. He will also join Morgan Wallen on his “One Night At A Time World Tour” in Arlington, Texas this July.

9 Lives Track List:
1. “Continued” Skit
2. “9 Lives (Black Cat)” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Gabe Simon)
3. “Casamigos” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Sam Harris, Ben Burgess, Gabe Simon)
4. “Damn Near Normal” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Gabe Simon, Carrie Karpinen, Sam Harris)
5. “Leigh” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Gabe Simon)
6. “Twister” (Ropyr Wetzel, Steve Rusch, Ben Burgess, Josh Serrato)
7. “High Road” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Gabe Simon, Carrie Karpinen)
8. “Reconsider” (Charles John Brocco, Keith Quenton Gattis)
9. “Hatchet” (Gabe Simon, Mike Coogan)
10. “Sweet Dreams” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Josh Serrato, Gabe Simon, Sam Harris)
11. “Runnin’ Low” (Ropyr Wetzel, Amy Allen, Sam Harris, Gabe Simon, Ben Burgess)
12. “Bar Song” (Blake “Shy” Carter, Breyan Isaac, Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, Dave Gibson)
13. “Last Outlaw Alive” (Josh Serrato, Ben Burgess, Sam Harris)

Pictured (L-R): Aaron Raitiere, Natalie Hemby, Ashley McBryde and Vince Gill. Photo: Angela Talley

Ashley McBryde, Vince Gill, Natalie Hemby and Aaron Raitiere showed their support for Music Health Alliance (MHA) by headlining its third annual “Coulda Shoulda Woulda” fundraiser last week at Nashville’s Cannery Hall.

Pictured (L-R): Aaron Raitiere, Ashley McBryde, MHA’s Tatum Allsep, Vince Gill, Natalie Hemby and Lytle Management & MHA Board’s John Lytle. Photo: Angela Talley

Hosted by Ashley Eicher, the sold-out evening of songs and stories raised more than $100,000 for the Nashville nonprofit’s free healthcare programs and advocacy services that benefit the music industry nationwide.

“What a fun and emotional night of music as Ashley, Vince, Natalie and Aaron shared never-before heard songs alongside some of their biggest hits,” said Tatum Allsep, MHA Founder & CEO. “We could not be more grateful to these amazing artists for donating their talents as well as everyone who attended to support Music Health Alliance and our decade long commitment to ‘Heal The Music.'”

MHA’s team of 14 advocates work to help music industry professionals with all of their healthcare needs. The nonprofit’s services range from assistance with medical bills to physical and mental health guidance, including finding doctors or prescriptions, searching for financial grants to aid in recovery from serious health issues, affordable health insurance and answers to Medicare questions.

Since its inception in 2013, MHA has provided free advocacy and support to almost 25,000 music industry professionals, saving clients and their families over $127 million in healthcare costs.

Tim McGraw with the NHL Stanley Cup during his show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Ben Dartnell

Country star Tim McGraw took over Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Thursday night (April 25). The show marked one of the many spring dates slated for his “Standing Room Only Tour,” which will run through June 29.

Rocking a red bedazzled crop top, a red fringe jacket and black plants, Abby Anderson graced the stage first to say hello and serenade the stands with songs such as “Where Did All The Cowboys Go,” which she mixed with a portion of The Chicks‘ “Cowboy Take Me Away,” and “Heart On Fire In Mexico,” which was inspired by the women in her family. Anderson then thanked everyone for coming as well as McGraw for choosing her to join him on the journey before making her exit.

Only one little light appeared to shine on stage as the sounds of a fiddle and guitar filled the venue. Multiple musicians soon made their way to the middle of the platform in a single file line to take their places alongside their instruments. Royal blue beams scanned the crowd and the lines encircling the elevated surface on stage flashed as Carly Pearce began her first-ever Bridgestone set with “Diamondback.” Dressed in a white fringe shorts and jacket set accented with an amber color and paired with blue boots, she jumped into Gold-certified “Next Girl.” Pearce then grabbed her acoustic guitar and confirmed that Nashville was ready for some country music while moving into “Easy Going.” She addressed the audience and expressed her gratitude for the milestone moment before performing the Grammy-winning tune “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” which she recorded with Ashley McBryde. Pearce then paid tribute to McGraw’s wife and fellow country sensation Faith Hill by covering “Let’s Go to Vegas.”

“What is so special about Nashville, and what all of you country music fans need to know is that we could not be the artists that we are without the songwriters in Nashville,” the songstress stated as she discussed her forthcoming album, Hummingbird.

She then introduced collaborators Lauren Hungate and Jordan Reynolds, with whom she wrote the recently-released Hummingbird track “My Place.” Pearce referred to Hungate as “[her] generation’s Hillary Lindsey” and reminisced on meeting Reynolds while making note of his various hits before the three sang the single together. She thanked them both for their presence as they left the stage. Pearce proceeded by sharing the story behind her first No. 1 “Every Little Thing.” Phone flashlights swayed as her vocals travelled through the chart-topper. She brought her guitar back out for “Country Music Made Me Do It” and asked concertgoers to insert their own story into the song.

The artist then switched to an electric guitar to share unreleased album track “Truck On Fire.” She gave a shoutout to her radio and streaming partners before transitioning to her and Chris Stapleton‘s duet “We Don’t Fight Anymore,” which is currently climbing the charts. Pearce took a moment to talk about how meaningful it is that her fourth No. 1 “What He Didn’t Do” has resonated with some many others before belting it for the crowd. She finished with “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” which she recorded with Lee Brice, after giving thanks to her village and fans.

After a brief intermission, Bridgestone faded to black. Suddenly, red and white rays penetrated the arena as McGraw’s silhouette flashed on the screen in time with the beat of “Truck Yeah.” The platform then lit up to reveal the band, and smoke rose up from underneath along with the acclaimed entertainer. Wearing a black t-shirt, jeans and his signature cowboy hat, he picked up his guitar for “Southern Voice.” Vibrant backroad scenery was depicted with animations behind McGraw on the screen above as he sang. He put the guitar away for “All I Want Is A Life” as the screen separated into alternating red, black and white panels spotlighting him and the members of his band. The streaks of light shifted to blue and white and a ballerina twirled across the screen as McGraw began to cover Elton John‘s “Tiny Dancer.” The songsmith then welcomed fans and introduced himself, though he needed no introduction, as well as each bandmate and declared them “the best band you’re ever going hear.”

“Our job is to leave the outside world behind, so you guys can come in here, let loose and have a great time. We’re going to take you on a ride, and we hope you enjoy it,” said McGraw before sliding into “Just To See You Smile.”

Every seat was tinged with orange as his guitar made its return for his and Nelly‘s “Over And Over.” Clips of the collaborators from the number’s accompanying music video played above. McGraw held onto the instrument for his 2015 smash single “Shotgun Rider” and threw his pick into the sea of fans below.

“This is for my wife,” he said before starting “One Bad Habit.” Sweet moments captured of McGraw and Hill were shared on screen throughout the tune. A hypnotic blend of warm hues hid subtle images of Hill above the stage as the headliner poured his heart into “Watch The Wind Blow By.” He had the audience on their feet and singing along during “Something Like That.” The cameras flashed to show multiple members on screen still moving and grooving for “Where The Green Grass Grows.” A starry scene served as the backdrop for the tour’s namesake.

A bright white stream of light followed McGraw as he performed “Red Ragtop” before checking in with everyone. What could’ve been considered a mini laser light show of many colors occurred for his and Taylor Swift‘s “Highway Don’t Care.” Broken images of Swift were projected during her parts of the tune and at one point, McGraw knelt down to point to one of his guitarists for a solo.

At one point, McGraw paused to acknowledge the city’s sports community and showed his support for the Nashville Predators by displaying the actual NHL Stanley Cup, shouting, “Let’s bring that home to Nashville!” before diving into his Preds anthem “I Like It, I Love It.”

Heads bopped and hands clapped for the duration of “Felt Good On My Lips.” McGraw gripped an electric guitar for “Real Good Man,” which had every corner of the room jamming. Scenes from McGraw and Hill’s Yellowstone spinoff series, 1883, flashed before every pair of eyes as the artist rode into “The Cowboy In Me,” accompanied by the crowd’s vocals. Two other band members came centerstage to play the final strums beside him, making for a satisfying end to the tune.

Rows of blue and pink shining dots glowed behind McGraw as he touched hearts with the beautiful “Humble and Kind.” Aqua tones led him to the middle of the platform as the arena absorbed the reminder and took the mic for the last chorus. McGraw then closed with his megahit “Live Like You Were Dying,” which had the room roaring and every hand ending the night in the air.

The “Standing Room Only Tour” will visit Cananda with a Montreal show this Thursday (May 2) and an Ottawa show on Friday (May 3).

Jo Dee Messina performs at the Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Louie Waddle

Jo Dee Messina took fans on her journey to country stardom Saturday night (April 27) in front of a sold-out audience at the Ryman Auditorium.

She also celebrated some success backstage before the special show in a private reception, where she was presented with plaques commemorating five new RIAA certifications, including double Platinum status for her hit singles “I’m Alright” and “Bye Bye;” Gold and Platinum status for ’90s country anthem “Heads Carolina, Tails California” and Gold status for “Bring on the Rain” and “Lesson In Leavin.’”

Pictured (L-R): Wasserman Music’s Nate Ritches, Vanderbilt’s Stuart Dill, Red Light Management’s Bryan Frasher, Jo Dee Messina, Curb Records’ Benson Curb, Jen Swirsky, 117 Entertainment’s Zach Farnum. Photo: Louie Waddle

Messina’s Ryman debut offered a chance for her to spotlight her “Road to the Ryman” retrospective on her life. From songs she was raised on to music that encouraged her to move to Nashville from Massachusetts, fans heard snippets of “Baby, I Lied,” “Break It To Me Gently,” “Whoever’s In New England,” “Rumor Has It,” “Girl’s Night Out” and more. She credited her early success to her producers Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore, while sharing massive hits like “Bye, Bye” and “Lesson In Leavin.’”

Some poignant and impactful moments of the night came when Messina shared her testimony and journey with God. She welcomed a Gospel choir from Three Oaks Church in Gallatin, Tennessee to join her on a medley of tunes including “My Jesus,” “Bigger Than This,” “Child of Love” and “Reckless Love.” She also shared a few new songs she’s written during the evening. 

“I was blown away by the crowd and its enthusiasm. Industry, family, friends, fans—the room was filled with that mixture. It was a one-of-a-kind experience,” reminisced Messina.

Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California (HCTC2) Tour” will run through the year around the country. The New England native will give a special performance of the National Anthem at the iconic Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox game before heading to her show at the House of Blues on June 2.