Sarah 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.

Ella 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.

Pictured (L-R): Ryan Beuschel (TNA, General Manager), Haley Teske (TNA, Agent), Drew Magid (TRACK mgmt), Brian Carothers (TNA, Agent), Will Terry, Tracker (TRACK mgmt), Kelly Carrazzone (TRACK mgmt) and Adi Sharma (TNA, Co-Head & Agent). Photo: Jess Hood

Singer-songwriter Will Terry has inked with The Neal Agency for booking.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to be working with The Neal Agency,” shares Terry. “Brian [Carothers] and Haley [Teske] felt like my people from the first time we met. I can’t wait to get to work with them by my side.”

“Will brings a big vibe to any room he’s in, and an even bigger vibe to the stage,” adds Carothers. “He’s sitting on a mountain of great songs yet to be heard. Haley, the entire TNA team and I are thrilled to be on board and are excited for what’s ahead.”

Throughout his career, Terry has opened for Tyler Farr, Jon Langston and Chayce Beckham at his hometown venue in Rome, Georgia, and recently performed at Whiskey Jam.

His newest single “Hell and This Point” was featured on Spotify’s Coming Up Country and Fresh Finds Country, where he was on the cover of Fresh Finds. Terry is currently working on new music with producer Will Bundy.

He is managed by TRACK mgmt, represented by TNA, and published by RX Songs / 7 Hills Music.

Kylie Morgan and Breland are joining forces this spring for a run of co‑headlining shows across New York and the Carolinas.

The limited‑date tour will kick off April 17 in Jordan, New York and will showcase some collaborative moments and high‑energy performances. The tour will also include stops in Buffalo, Wilmington, Isle Of Palms and Raleigh.

Morgan continues her independent rise with over 500M global streams. She recently released the video for her deeply personal single “Like My Own. Since breaking through with his 2019 viral hit “My Truck,” Breland has amassed over 1.2 billion streams, and collaborated with Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Lady A, Nelly and more and, written for artists such as Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz, Jacquees, and more.

Kylie Morgan x Breland Tour Dates:
April 17 — Jordan, NY — KEGS Canal
April 18 — Buffalo, NY — Showplace Theater
May 14 — Isle of Palms, SC — The Windjammer
May 15 — Wilmington, NC — Bowstring
May 16 — Raleigh, NC — Bowstring