The Chicks. Photo: Nicole Mago
The Chicks brought their “Taking the Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour” to The Truth in Nashville last night (Oct. 15), revisiting one of the most defining albums of their career with a performance that balanced reflection, resilience and fan-favorite hits. The trio of Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer performed the 2006 album in full before returning for a second set of songs spanning their catalog.
Throughout the first half of the show, videos featuring the group from 20 years ago played between each song, giving fans a look back at the era surrounding the album’s release. The archival footage added another layer to the performance, connecting the music to a pivotal period in the band’s history and reminding the audience how much had changed since the record first arrived.
The show opened with “The Long Way Around,” followed by “Easy Silence” and “Not Ready to Make Nice,” one of the defining songs of the group’s career. The song’s message of standing firm in the face of criticism carried particular weight during the anniversary performance. The trio continued through “Everybody Knows,” “Bitter End,” “Lullaby,” “Lubbock or Leave It” and “Silent House,” showcasing the album’s mix of sharp songwriting, personal storytelling and signature harmonies.
The Chicks & Sheryl Crow. Photo: Nicole Mago
“Favorite Year” brought a special guest to the stage, with Sheryl Crow joining the group for the performance. Her appearance provided one of the evening’s standout moments before The Chicks continued with “Voice Inside My Head,” “I Like It,” “Baby Hold On,” “So Hard” and “I Hope,” completing the album before an intermission.
The second half shifted to a broader celebration of The Chicks’ catalog, opening with “Goodbye Earl” and “Wide Open Spaces.” The familiar hits brought a change of pace after the album-focused first set, giving fans a chance to reconnect with songs that have remained staples of the group’s live performances. The trio followed with “White Trash Wedding” and “Daddy Lessons” before delivering “Cowboy Take Me Away,” a fan-favorite that highlighted the group’s softer side.
The Chicks also paid tribute to Fleetwood Mac with a cover of “Landslide,” before returning to their own material with “Gaslighter.” They continued with “Travelin’ Soldier,” before closing the night with “Sin Wagon,” bringing the evening to an energetic finish.
The “Taking the Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour” continues tomorrow (Oct. 17) in San Antonio, with stops following in Austin, Seattle, Hollywood and more.
Photo: Nicole Mago
The Chicks. Photo: Nicole Mago
MusicRow Weekly (Publisher Issue, News, Charts, More…)
/by Madison HahnenThis week’s edition of the MusicRow Weekly covers the release of MusicRow Magazine’s 2026 Publisher Issue, several industry moves and a new member of the Grand Ole Opry. Click here to see the full edition.
MusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, has released its 2026 Publisher Issue, featuring MCA’s Luke Bryan on the cover. The annual edition includes an updated Publisher Directory highlighting Nashville’s leading publishing companies and organizations serving songwriters, along with exclusive features focused on the city’s songwriting and publishing community.
In industry news, Mike Sistad and Evyn Mustoe Johnston have unexpectedly exited ASCAP after 25 and 14 years with the organization, respectively. Sistad most recently served as Vice President, Nashville Membership, while Johnston held the role of Assistant Vice President. At Curb Records, Todd Thomas has been promoted to VP, Promotion.
Rhett Akins celebrated his birthday on Oct. 13 by being inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Several artists and songwriters also announced new deals this week. Marc Scibilia has signed with Concord Records, while Payton Sullivan has signed with Sony Music Publishing Nashville. Jordan Rowe has entered a joint venture label deal with Capitol Christian Music Group and Tape Room Music. Miles Hardt has signed with Casual Media Partners for artist management and Casual Records for label services, while Riley Biederer has signed with Reservoir through its joint venture with independent music publisher superreal.
In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Riley Green remains in the No. 1 spot with “Think As You Drunk.” Explore more chart data here.
The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.
New Vinyl Version Of Brad Paisley’s ‘Snow Globe Town’ To Arrive In November
/by Lorie HollabaughBrad Paisley. Photo: Conner Petersen
Brad Paisley is celebrating the holiday season this year with a new vinyl edition of his Christmas album Snow Globe Town, due out on Nov. 6.
The festive new vinyl version includes the original track “That Crazy Elf (On The Shelf),” which was previously available only digitally, and fans can also order a special vinyl signed by Paisley. Inspired by Hallmark Channel’s partnership with Paisley to write and record music for the A Grand Ole Opry Christmas movie, Snow Globe Town premiered in 2025.
The 16-track album combines eight originals and eight reimagined classics, and highlights include “Counting Down The Days,” which became the official anthem of the Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas” in 2025, and the heartfelt “Last Year,” inspired by family memories and the loss of a loved one. Festive favorites including “My Favorite Things” and “The First Noel,” appear alongside originals such as “Lit” and the title track. Playful, poignant, and unmistakably Paisley, Snow Globe Town is holiday nostalgia with a modern heart.
Snow Globe Town Vinyl Track List:
1. “Plug It In, Sparky”*
2. “Counting Down The Days”*
3. “The Christmas Song”
4. “Snow Globe Town”*
5. “That Crazy Elf (On The Shelf)”*
6. “My Favorite Things”
7. “Jingle Bell Rock”
8. “Falling Just Like Snow”*
9. “A Marshmallow World”
10. “The First Noel”
11. “Holy Night”
12. “Lit”*
13. “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
14. “Leave The Christmas Lights On”*
15. “Last Year”*
16. “Christmas Times A-Comin’”
*original songs
GoldenSky Festival To Return To Sacramento In 2027
/by Lorie HollabaughGoldenSky Festival. Photo: Jake Miller, Danny Wimmer Presents
Zach Bryan, Megan Moroney, Wyatt Flores, and more are set to play the GoldenSky Festival, returning Oct. 9-10, 2027 at Discovery Park in Sacramento.
Additional artists on the lineup include Treaty Oak Revival, Ty Myers, Whiskey Myers, Hudson Westbrook, Max McNown,Vincent Mason, Avery Anna, Braxton Keith, Blake Whiten, Waylon Wyatt, Mack Geiger, Carter Faith, Alexandra Kay, The Band Perry, Tyler Nance, Graham Barham, and more.
“We’ve missed GoldenSky, and after two years away, we knew if we were bringing it back, we needed to come back big,” says Chamie McCurry, General Manager, Danny Wimmer Presents. Adding, “This lineup feels like the perfect return, reflecting what’s exciting in country music right now while staying true to what made people fall in love with GoldenSky in the first place. More importantly, we’re not just coming back for a weekend. We’ve made a long-term commitment to Sacramento, and we’re excited to keep growing GoldenSky and investing in this community for years to come.”
Passes are on sale now at GoldenSkyFestival.com. Danny Wimmer Presents contributes a portion of every GoldenSky ticket sale to the DWP Foundation, supporting local and national nonprofits and charitable initiatives in the communities that host DWP festivals.
CRB/CRS Opens Applications For Rusty Walker Scholarship
/by Lauryn SinkCountry Radio Broadcasters (CRB) is now accepting applications for the Rusty Walker Scholarship, offering one first-time attendee the opportunity to experience Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2027.
The application is available here. The deadline to apply is Nov. 12.
Eligibility is limited to full-time radio station employees who will be attending CRS for the first time. To be considered, applicants must complete the online application and submit an essay of no more than 500 words explaining why they should be selected as this year’s recipient. The recipient will be recognized during CRS 2027, and receive a package that includes full registration to the event, round-trip airfare to Nashville and hotel accommodations at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
The scholarship, established in 2012, honors the late Rusty Walker, a respected former CRS board member, Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee, influential programmer, consultant, and mentor.
Get Engaged Joins SAMY
/by Lauryn SinkPhoto: Courtesy of Get Engaged
Get Engaged has joined SAMY, a global independent social-first agency.
Founded in 2016 by Alex Dermer, Cam Fordham and Ben Hiott, Get Engaged has more than 120 employees across Atlanta, New York, Nashville and Los Angeles offices, serving clients including Sephora, Raising Cane’s, DoorDash, Live Nation, NBCUniversal, EA Games, Sazerac, Universal Music Group, and Perplexity. Get Engaged will retain its founders, leadership and hands-on service model.
“We built Get Engaged to help brands connect with culture in ways that move their businesses forward,” says Get Engaged Co-Founder and CEO, Alex Dermer. “Joining SAMY gives us the global reach, technology and talent to take that vision further. What excites me most is our shared ambition for where this industry is going and the role we can play in shaping it. As I step into the CEO role of Get Engaged, I’m proud of what we’ve built and energized by what this partnership makes possible for our clients and our team.”
“The next era of marketing will belong to brands that create moments people want to be part of,” shares Get Engaged Co-Founder, Cam Fordham. “We see a huge opportunity to bring brands, creators and talent together in ways that go well beyond a single campaign. With SAMY, we can take bigger swings and turn bold ideas into experiences and partnerships that reach audiences around the world.”
“Joining forces with Get Engaged consolidates SAMY as an independent, global leader in social and creator marketing,” adds SAMY CEO, Juan Andres Elhazaz. “Having established a proven track record as a leader in Europe and Latin America scaling our U.S. footprint was one of SAMY’s primary growth objectives and Get Engaged is the ideal partner to lead that expansion. We now bring our data and insight- driven Influencer and Social capabilities, powered by tech and AI, to maximize strategy and creative output, allowing leading brands to resonate authentically with today’s audiences.
The Raine Group served as exclusive financial advisor to Get Engaged.
The Chicks Celebrate Two Decades Of ‘Taking The Long Way’ [Recap]
/by Madison HahnenThe Chicks. Photo: Nicole Mago
The Chicks brought their “Taking the Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour” to The Truth in Nashville last night (Oct. 15), revisiting one of the most defining albums of their career with a performance that balanced reflection, resilience and fan-favorite hits. The trio of Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer performed the 2006 album in full before returning for a second set of songs spanning their catalog.
Throughout the first half of the show, videos featuring the group from 20 years ago played between each song, giving fans a look back at the era surrounding the album’s release. The archival footage added another layer to the performance, connecting the music to a pivotal period in the band’s history and reminding the audience how much had changed since the record first arrived.
The show opened with “The Long Way Around,” followed by “Easy Silence” and “Not Ready to Make Nice,” one of the defining songs of the group’s career. The song’s message of standing firm in the face of criticism carried particular weight during the anniversary performance. The trio continued through “Everybody Knows,” “Bitter End,” “Lullaby,” “Lubbock or Leave It” and “Silent House,” showcasing the album’s mix of sharp songwriting, personal storytelling and signature harmonies.
The Chicks & Sheryl Crow. Photo: Nicole Mago
“Favorite Year” brought a special guest to the stage, with Sheryl Crow joining the group for the performance. Her appearance provided one of the evening’s standout moments before The Chicks continued with “Voice Inside My Head,” “I Like It,” “Baby Hold On,” “So Hard” and “I Hope,” completing the album before an intermission.
The second half shifted to a broader celebration of The Chicks’ catalog, opening with “Goodbye Earl” and “Wide Open Spaces.” The familiar hits brought a change of pace after the album-focused first set, giving fans a chance to reconnect with songs that have remained staples of the group’s live performances. The trio followed with “White Trash Wedding” and “Daddy Lessons” before delivering “Cowboy Take Me Away,” a fan-favorite that highlighted the group’s softer side.
The Chicks also paid tribute to Fleetwood Mac with a cover of “Landslide,” before returning to their own material with “Gaslighter.” They continued with “Travelin’ Soldier,” before closing the night with “Sin Wagon,” bringing the evening to an energetic finish.
The “Taking the Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour” continues tomorrow (Oct. 17) in San Antonio, with stops following in Austin, Seattle, Hollywood and more.
Photo: Nicole Mago
The Chicks. Photo: Nicole Mago
Cody Johnson Championship Event & Gala Raises Over $600K For Charity
/by Lorie HollabaughCody Johnson.
Cody Johnson recently hosted his third annual “Cody Johnson Championship Event,” presented by Tractor Supply, in Belton, Texas.
Over the course of the annual six-day event, more than $2 million in cash and prizes was awarded. The COJO Championship also partnered with the Guy Fieri Foundation, the Ranching for Heroes Foundation, and Boot Campaign for the Champs for Charity Gala, raising more than $635,000 for the three nonprofits.
“It takes a really big team to organize all the events that take place during the week,” says Johnson. “I’m so proud of the heart and soul everyone brings to the table, which enables us to give back to important causes.”
In the Celebrity Pro-Am Team Roping Invitational, Johnson teamed with five-time National Finals Rodeo Qualifier heeler Drew Trey Yates to finish third overall. Johnson also made his mark in the 10.5 roping, where he and fellow Texan Bradley Jackson stopped the clock in 6.46 seconds, placing second in the Rotation fast-time standings. In the #12 roping, Cody and Justin Davis finished 19th in the average, earning fourth place in the Incentive.
“Cody Johnson has built something special with the COJO event, bringing the team roping community together to compete and give back,” adds Heather Strohm, marketing director at Tractor Supply. “We’re honored to present the COJO Championship and celebrate the Champs for Charity Gala surpassing $2 million raised in just three years for causes that matter deeply to Cody and the communities we serve.”
Kaleb Driggers, Cody Johnson and Nicky Northcott.
Riley Green Remains Atop The MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeRiley Green; Photo: David Higgs
Riley Green remains atop the MusicRow Radio Chart with “Think As You Drunk.”
The track is the lead single off of his recent album That’s Just Me and was written by Green, Jessi Alexander, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin, Scotty Emerick and Toby Keith.
On Monday (Oct. 12), Green released a new college football track “Alabama VS Tennessee” featuring Super Bowl champion and MVP, Peyton Manning.
“Think As You Drunk” currently sits at No. 12 on the Billboard Country Airplay No. 9 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Emily Ann Roberts Spins Some Captivating Tales On New EP ‘Thread’
/by Lorie HollabaughEmily Ann Roberts has released a new collection of songs, Thread, today (Oct. 16) via RECORDS Nashville / Sony Music Nashville.
On the new project Roberts weaves dynamic stories that honor her Appalachian influences set against the bluegrass-tinged instrumentation and time-honored musical traditions she’s embraced since childhood. The Knoxville native co-wrote every track on the new EP along with writers Jessi Alexander, Wyatt McCubbin, Paul Sikes, Ben Williams, and more.
Roberts has racked up nearly 200 million global streams, bolstered by an ever-growing community of fans (thanks in part to her beloved “Yeehaw Meemaw” persona), and now steps into her next chapter with Thread, which finds a new kind of magic in the timeless sounds and storytelling heritage she’s treasured all her life.
She’ll join Cody Johnson for a European run later this month, with stops in London, Dublin, Glasgow and additional cities across the U.K., and will also be heading back to C2C Festival in 2027, taking the main stage in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Berlin, and Rotterdam.
Thread Track List:
1. “Thread” (Emily Ann Roberts / Jessi Alexander / Ben Williams)
2. “Lonely Boy” (Emily Ann Roberts / Ryan Beaver / Frank Rogers)
3. “Garden Grow” (Emily Ann Roberts / Kelly Archer / Paul Sikes)
4. “When I Do” (Emily Ann Roberts / Jeff Hyde / Bryan Simpson)
5. “Laundry” (Emily Ann Roberts / Wyatt McCubbin / Jessi Alexander / Ben Williams)
MCA Nashville Impacted By Universal Music Group Layoffs
/by Lauryn SinkMCA has reportedly laid off eight employees in the Nashville office, according to Country Aircheck.
Those affected in the layoffs include COO Rob Femia; SVP/Promotion & Regional Marketing Miranda McDonald; VP/E-Commerce & Business Development Taylor Viegut; Directors of Regional Promotion John Trapane, Donna Jo Passuntino, Ashley Knight and Shannon Hogan; and Director of Radio Marketing Houston Gaither.
Femia joined UMG Nashville in 2013 as VP of Business & Legal Affairs, was upped to SVP in 2018 then rose to EVP in 2023. He was named COO in 2025. He is a graduate of Rutgers Law School with prior work history at Sony BMG, Virgin Records/Capitol Music Group/EMI Music North America, and Atlantic Records.
McDonald was elevated to Senior Vice President, Promotion & Regional Marketing earlier this year. In her role, helmed promotion for the MCA Nashville roster and played a pivotal part in obtaining multiple No. 1 singles.
Viegut was named as the as the first-ever Vice President, E-commerce & Business Development in 2025 after five years with the company. Prior to MCA, she worked at CMA where she led DSP relationships and expanded mobile growth.
MCA has not returned a request for confirmation.