Warren Zeiders. Photo: Austin Screws
Country music is easing us into spring this week.
Riding warm winds are Tucker Wetmore, Devon Gilfillian, Carter Faith, Kameron Marlowe and Kip Moore.
The grooviest Daylight Savings Time sounds belong to our Disc of the Day winner, Warren Zeiders and the marvelously creative effort by DISCovery Award winner Leah Blevins.
Happy listening.
KIP MOORE / “Levee”
Writers: none listed; Producer: Andrew DeRoberts, Kip Moore; Label: KM
– Swampy, steaming, and rocking, with shades of Creedence and a lot of menacing attitude. Love the ad-libbed yelps.
BOB MINNER, TIM McGRAW & LORI McKENNA / “Kentucky Bluebird”
Writers: Don Cook/Wally Wilson; Producer: Bob Minner; Label: Billy Blue Records
– Pining for a long-distance lover, accompanied by gently plucked mandolin, dobro, and guitar, as well as a softly sighing fiddle. Acoustic nirvana.
LEAH BLEVINS / “All Dressed Up”
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Daniel Tashian/Leah Blevins; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
– Her mountain soprano is wedded to an echoey, dramatic track in this stately ballad of unrequited love. Innovative and ethereal, it’s a sound that will haunt you. It is also the title tune of an ear-opening, singer-songwriter album that’s due on March 20
WARREN ZEIDERS / “Born to Be Yours”
Writers: Ali Tamposi/Blake Pendergrass/Griff Clawson/Jake Hindlin/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner Records
– A rumbling, rhythmic, stirring track lifts a song of eternal devotion heavenward. Zeiders’ vocal is loaded with dynamics, from hushed whisper to soaring celebration. The whole thing seems infused with burning romantic intensity. I’m in.
LILY MEOLA & WILLIE NELSON / “Tumbleweeds and Chewing Gum”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: LM
– Hawaii native Meola floats over a spare, loping, “prairie” sounding track while Nelson adds his own special sauce with a mid-song verse. Dreamy atmosphere rules here. Meola showcases her upcoming album at Skinny Dennis on Sunday (March 8) at 7 p.m. The event also celebrates the one-year anniversary of the East Nashville nightspot.
RODNEY CROWELL & EMMYLOU HARRIS / “Go Light a Candle”
Writers: Rodney Crowell/Sam Baker; Producers: Dan Knobler, Rodney Crowell; Label: New West Records
– With a tender touch, Crowell offers a song of hope and resilience in the face of political oppression. He and Harris assure us that things will get better, and Lera Lynn adds soft harmony support. It sounds like a kitchen-table conversation with old and trusted friends.
TREY PENDLEY / “Like a River”
Writers: Ben Chapman/Meg McRee/Trey Pendley; Producers: Jacob Bryant, John Davidson; Label: Leo33
– Heart warming. He relaxes into the love ballad with an easy-going drawl. The nicely arranged track gives the tune its meaty sonic core. Gently persuasive.
TUCKER WETMORE / “Sunburn”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: MCA/Back Blocks Music
– A breezy beach romance with a lilting, bobbing, bubbling vibe. Wetmore continues to impress.
ANGEL WHITE / “LONESTAR GIRL”
Writers: Angel White/Jeffrey East; Producers: Angel White, Joseph Holguin; Label: American Dogwood/EMPIRE
– Authentic Texas cowboy White goes in an urban, blues-rock direction on this strutting stomper. It’s the theme song of a new Wrangler ad campaign that features him dancing while sporting the company’s western shirts.
KAMERON MARLOWE / “No Need for Leavin’”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: Sony
– Steeped in a neo-soul groove, Marlowe gets into a wailing bluesy, plea that urges her to stay. Some deep-indigo guitar licks and a searing organ underscore his supremely confident vocal performance. Extremely well done.
TYLER BRADEN / “Dry County”
Writers: Allison Veltz Cruz/Lalo Guzman/Laura Veltz/Tyler Braden; Producers: Lalo Guzman, Sam Martinez; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– Dobro and steel notes ache along with his heartbreak vocal delivery in this mid-tempo, lonesome outing. There’s something intimate and hearty about his voice that is quite appealing.
CARTER FAITH / “If I Had Never Lost My Mind”
Writers: Carter Faith/Jen Stegall/Jordan Lehning/Lauren Hungate/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: MCA
– Her plaintive delivery has hooky vocal breaks as well as volume oomph. The power ballad has cool, thumpy, backbeat percussion and soaring strings. The lyric laments the fact that she drove him away because she is deranged and crazed. This song’s parent album, Cherry Valley, is one of country music’s finest debut collections. Catch Carter Faith at the Exit/In on Saturday (March 14) and Sunday (March 15).
DEVON GILFILLIAN / “Hold On (Hourglass)”
Writers: Dana Mary Williams/Devon Gilfillian/Paul Duncan/Ran Jackson; Producers: Devon Gilfillian, Jonathan Smalt, Ran Jackson; Label: Fantasy
– Gilfillian is the finest R&B talent in Nashville today. He previews his third album with this twang-embellished, urgent, country-soul rocker that rumbles along righteously while he wails in heartache.
Dylan Scott Tops the MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘What He’ll Never Have’
/by John Nix ArledgeDylan Scott. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson
Dylan Scott notches the No. 1 position on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with his song, “What He’ll Never Have.”
The track, featured on his third studio album Easy Does It, was written by Scott along with Logan Robinson, Ricky Rowton and Robbie Gatlin.
Scott kicks off his 18-date “Till I Can’t I Will Tour” next week on March 12 in Syracuse, New York.
“What He’ll Never Have” currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 9 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Star-Studded Tribute To The Gatlin Brothers Sells Out Ryman Auditorium
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Gatlin Brothers joined by all performers on-stage at 70th Anniversary Tribute. Photo: Cooper Smith
“A 70th Anniversary Salute to The Gatlin Brothers” took place at the Opry House on Feb. 23 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, with a capacity crowd gathered to enjoy the evening of music.
The moving tribute concert brought together generations of country and gospel greats under one roof and included The Oak Ridge Boys, Big & Rich, The Frontmen, Vince Gill, T. Graham Brown, Rhonda Vincent, Steven Curtis Chapman, John Berry, Lorrie Morgan, The Isaacs, Mark Wills, Red Steagall, Billy Dean, Dailey & Vincent, John Carter Cash, Riders in the Sky, Jason Crabb, Jamie O’Neal, Mandy Barnett and many more, with special appearances by Gary Sinise and Nancy Jones. Timeless hits including “All the Gold in California,” “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You)” and “Broken Lady” were celebrated with fresh interpretations and harmonies, underscoring the lasting influence of the trio’s catalog.
Larry’s son Joshua Cash Gatlin also spoke on the legacy of his father and his uncles at the event, which featured Nashville-based band Sixwire as the evening’s backing band, and was hosted by 650AM WSM personalities Bill Cody, Charlie Mattos, Kelly Sutton and Mike Terry.
During the evening, Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin also shared that the celebration would also mark the beginning of their farewell chapter, officially announcing plans for a final tour together. The brothers revealed that the upcoming run of dates will give fans across the country one last opportunity to experience the harmonies that have defined their storied career.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Warren Zeiders’ New Track Burns With ‘Romantic Intensity’
/by Robert K OermannWarren Zeiders. Photo: Austin Screws
Country music is easing us into spring this week.
Riding warm winds are Tucker Wetmore, Devon Gilfillian, Carter Faith, Kameron Marlowe and Kip Moore.
The grooviest Daylight Savings Time sounds belong to our Disc of the Day winner, Warren Zeiders and the marvelously creative effort by DISCovery Award winner Leah Blevins.
Happy listening.
KIP MOORE / “Levee”
Writers: none listed; Producer: Andrew DeRoberts, Kip Moore; Label: KM
– Swampy, steaming, and rocking, with shades of Creedence and a lot of menacing attitude. Love the ad-libbed yelps.
BOB MINNER, TIM McGRAW & LORI McKENNA / “Kentucky Bluebird”
Writers: Don Cook/Wally Wilson; Producer: Bob Minner; Label: Billy Blue Records
– Pining for a long-distance lover, accompanied by gently plucked mandolin, dobro, and guitar, as well as a softly sighing fiddle. Acoustic nirvana.
LEAH BLEVINS / “All Dressed Up”
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Daniel Tashian/Leah Blevins; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
– Her mountain soprano is wedded to an echoey, dramatic track in this stately ballad of unrequited love. Innovative and ethereal, it’s a sound that will haunt you. It is also the title tune of an ear-opening, singer-songwriter album that’s due on March 20
WARREN ZEIDERS / “Born to Be Yours”
Writers: Ali Tamposi/Blake Pendergrass/Griff Clawson/Jake Hindlin/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner Records
– A rumbling, rhythmic, stirring track lifts a song of eternal devotion heavenward. Zeiders’ vocal is loaded with dynamics, from hushed whisper to soaring celebration. The whole thing seems infused with burning romantic intensity. I’m in.
LILY MEOLA & WILLIE NELSON / “Tumbleweeds and Chewing Gum”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: LM
– Hawaii native Meola floats over a spare, loping, “prairie” sounding track while Nelson adds his own special sauce with a mid-song verse. Dreamy atmosphere rules here. Meola showcases her upcoming album at Skinny Dennis on Sunday (March 8) at 7 p.m. The event also celebrates the one-year anniversary of the East Nashville nightspot.
RODNEY CROWELL & EMMYLOU HARRIS / “Go Light a Candle”
Writers: Rodney Crowell/Sam Baker; Producers: Dan Knobler, Rodney Crowell; Label: New West Records
– With a tender touch, Crowell offers a song of hope and resilience in the face of political oppression. He and Harris assure us that things will get better, and Lera Lynn adds soft harmony support. It sounds like a kitchen-table conversation with old and trusted friends.
TREY PENDLEY / “Like a River”
Writers: Ben Chapman/Meg McRee/Trey Pendley; Producers: Jacob Bryant, John Davidson; Label: Leo33
– Heart warming. He relaxes into the love ballad with an easy-going drawl. The nicely arranged track gives the tune its meaty sonic core. Gently persuasive.
TUCKER WETMORE / “Sunburn”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: MCA/Back Blocks Music
– A breezy beach romance with a lilting, bobbing, bubbling vibe. Wetmore continues to impress.
ANGEL WHITE / “LONESTAR GIRL”
Writers: Angel White/Jeffrey East; Producers: Angel White, Joseph Holguin; Label: American Dogwood/EMPIRE
– Authentic Texas cowboy White goes in an urban, blues-rock direction on this strutting stomper. It’s the theme song of a new Wrangler ad campaign that features him dancing while sporting the company’s western shirts.
KAMERON MARLOWE / “No Need for Leavin’”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: Sony
– Steeped in a neo-soul groove, Marlowe gets into a wailing bluesy, plea that urges her to stay. Some deep-indigo guitar licks and a searing organ underscore his supremely confident vocal performance. Extremely well done.
TYLER BRADEN / “Dry County”
Writers: Allison Veltz Cruz/Lalo Guzman/Laura Veltz/Tyler Braden; Producers: Lalo Guzman, Sam Martinez; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– Dobro and steel notes ache along with his heartbreak vocal delivery in this mid-tempo, lonesome outing. There’s something intimate and hearty about his voice that is quite appealing.
CARTER FAITH / “If I Had Never Lost My Mind”
Writers: Carter Faith/Jen Stegall/Jordan Lehning/Lauren Hungate/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: MCA
– Her plaintive delivery has hooky vocal breaks as well as volume oomph. The power ballad has cool, thumpy, backbeat percussion and soaring strings. The lyric laments the fact that she drove him away because she is deranged and crazed. This song’s parent album, Cherry Valley, is one of country music’s finest debut collections. Catch Carter Faith at the Exit/In on Saturday (March 14) and Sunday (March 15).
DEVON GILFILLIAN / “Hold On (Hourglass)”
Writers: Dana Mary Williams/Devon Gilfillian/Paul Duncan/Ran Jackson; Producers: Devon Gilfillian, Jonathan Smalt, Ran Jackson; Label: Fantasy
– Gilfillian is the finest R&B talent in Nashville today. He previews his third album with this twang-embellished, urgent, country-soul rocker that rumbles along righteously while he wails in heartache.
Studio Bank Partners With ‘The Stephan Hogan Podcast’
/by Lauryn SinkStephan Hogan & Ron Cox.
Nashville-based Studio Bank has partnered with The Stephan Hogan Podcast to increase business education, financial guidance and entrepreneurship resources for professionals in the entertainment industry.
Hogan’s podcast, which launched in 2024, ranked in the top 5 percent of all video podcasts globally on Spotify in 2025. The podcast has previously feataured Vince Gill, Lee Greenwood, Tom Douglas, Natalie Hemby, Dan Tyminski, Joe Bonamassa and Bear Rinehart.
“At Studio Bank, we understand that creators in the music and entertainment industry face unique financial situations,” says Ron Cox, Music, Arts & Entertainment Executive at Studio Bank. “Stephan has a real gift for drawing out meaningful stories from those who have truly lived it. We’re proud to partner on these conversations filled with personal experiences and hard-earned wisdom, shared in a way that encourages and empowers artists, songwriters, industry professionals and entrepreneurs as they build careers that last.”
“In a city like Nashville, it is special to have a partner who knows you, believes in you, and champions true storytelling,” adds Hogan.
Sarah Trahern To Receive Music Biz’s 2026 Presidential Award
/by Lauryn SinkSarah Trahern. Photo: John Russell/CMA
Sarah Trahern will receive this year’s Music Biz Presidential Award.
The award will be presented to Trahern at the 5th annual Bizzy Awards Dinner, happening Wednesday, May 13 during Music Biz 2026 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly.
Trahern took the helm of CMA in 2014 and is set to retire at the end of this year. Under her leadership, CMA has continued to evolve its membership initiatives and industry programs to meet the changing needs of the country music community. Her tenure has included expanded investments and coordinated industry support in response to COVID-19, natural disasters and ongoing mental health challenges. Trahern has also reinforced CMA’s commitment to music education through the organization’s nonprofit arm, the CMA Foundation, where she serves as President. Prior to CMA, Trahern worked for C-SPAN, The Nashville Network (TNN), and Great American Country (GAC) and her own Sterling Television.
“Sarah’s leadership throughout the last decade plus has been inspirational and transformative for the Country music industry, the Nashville community, and everyone whose lives have been touched by Country artists,” shares Music Biz President Portia Sabin. “As she ends her chapter of service to the music business, we at Music Biz are thrilled to honor her for all that she is and all that she’s accomplished!”
Music Biz 2026 will take place May 11-14 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly. Find more information about the event here.
Eric Paslay To Headline Nashville Ballet’s 37th Annual Ballet Ball
/by Lorie HollabaughEric Paslay
Eric Paslay is set to headline the 37th Annual Ballet Ball this Saturday (March 7) at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.
He is replacing Jamey Johnson for the evening, who will not perform as previously announced due to unforeseen circumstances, and will now lead the evening’s entertainment as part of the annual gala celebrating Nashville Ballet’s 40th Season. Tickets for the Ballet Ball Late Party are still available for purchase at NashvilleBallet.com/late-party.
Paslay has celebrated five No. 1s, with four ranked among the Top 100 Songs of the Decade by Country Aircheck, including the No. 1 spot on that chart with “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” recorded by Jake Owen. His latest independent project, Perfect Stranger, a six-song EP, is available now.
K-LOVE Fan Awards To Return To Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry In May
/by Lorie HollabaughLauren Daigle & Sadie Robertson-Huff. Photo: Josiah Weiss
Grammy winner Lauren Daigle and podcaster, author and speaker Sadie Robertson Huff are set to host the 13th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House on May 24.
The awards show will air exclusively on Trinity Broadcasting Network on May 29 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET, with an encore presentation scheduled for June 5.
The 2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend lineup will include a Friday night kickoff concert headlined by Cain, also featuring Leanna Crawford, Colton Dixon and Ben Fuller. The Songwriters Showcase will be hosted by Steven Curtis Chapman, joined by Andrew Ripp, Terrian and Matthew West. On Sunday morning, the worship service will include Josh Baldwin, Pat Barrett and Zahriya Zachary.
Tickets for the 2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend, including travel packages, are on sale now.
Rascal Flatts Wrap ‘Life Is A Highway Tour’
/by Madison HahnenRascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts concluded their 2026 “Life Is A Highway Tour” last weekend. Hitting 21 cities with openers Chris Lane and Lauren Alaina, the country music icons played in arenas across the country including Fiserv Forum, Bridgestone Arena, Rupp Arena and more.
“It’s been such a blessing to kick off 2026 back in front of fans. Each show has just been an overwhelming reminder that our music still means so much to so many people over 26 years later,” says Joe Don Rooney. “The guys and I will be riding this high for the rest of the year, we’re so grateful for everyone that took the time to come out to see us!”
The shows included hits such as “Yours If You Want It,” “My Wish,” “Bless the Broken Road,” “I Like the Sound of That,” “What Hurts The Most,” “Summer Nights” and “Life Is a Highway.” Other fan-favorites making the set were “Fast Cars and Freedom,” “Stand,” “Banjo” and more.
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts
Ella Langley & Jo Dee Messina Pair For ‘The Conversation’ At CRS 2026
/by Lorie HollabaughElla Langley and Jo Dee Messina will share their respective journeys to success in “The Conversation,” a keynote session at CRS on March 19 at 2:30 p.m.
Designed as a true one-on-one conversation, the session will feature Langley and Messina asking each other questions in a candid, unscripted dialogue.
Langley’s rapid career rise has been marked by major milestones including four CMA Awards, five ACM Awards, and becoming the first female artist in history to simultaneously top the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. Throughout her career, Messina has logged nine No. 1 hits, and awards and nominations from the ACM, CMA, AMA, Billboard, and the Grammys.
Now in its third year, “The Conversation” pairs artists from different career stages for a candid discussion. Previous installments have featured Trisha Yearwood with Lainey Wilson and Eric Church with Jelly Roll.
‘NASHVILLE Encore Tour’ Adds Second Nashville Show In June
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“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.”