Tigirlily Gold Slates Sophomore Album ‘Country & Midwestern’ For October

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Tigirlily Gold will release their sophomore album, Country & Midwestern, on Oct. 9. The duo has dropped a new single from the project, their latest track, “Something To Drink About.”

The new album was named after the sisters’ proud North Dakota roots and their previously released song of the same name, and is a celebration of a region often overlooked in country music conversations despite embodying the very spirit the genre was built on. For Tigirlily Gold, being “Midwestern” has always meant hard work, family, faith, grit, and finding joy in the everyday, qualities that have shaped both who they are and the music they make.

“We could not be more excited to finally announce our sophomore album, Country & Midwestern!” says Kendra Olson and Krista Slaubaugh of Tigirlily Gold. “This album came to be by taking the sounds of the 2000s Country music we grew up on and our love of growing up in the Midwest, which is often overlooked and under-appreciated. While the album is sonically nostalgic, the lyrics cover where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going, professionally and personally. We spent the last two years planting many seeds – some that painted fields gold and some that never had the chance to grow. We did not sugarcoat any of our experiences, and hope everyone can hear the heart of this album, because it’s one and the same as ours.”

The project announcement follows the release of a cinematic album trailer in which the duo reflects on the farming lessons that shaped their outlook, from growing up during North Dakota harvest seasons to learning that success isn’t measured solely by the crop, but by having the courage to keep planting.

That same perseverance runs throughout Country & Midwestern, a record born out of years of believing in their dreams, even when the harvest wasn’t yet in sight. The album artwork was photographed in North Dakota by Kendra’s husband, Jared Olson, capturing the wide-open prairie that inspired the record and reinforcing the project’s deeply personal foundation.

Max McNown Readies Third Album

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Max McNown will release his third studio album, Leave On A Light, on Sept. 25 via Fugitive Recordings.

McNown worked closely with longtime collaborator and producer Jamie Kenney and co-writers like Julian Bunetta on the 17-track LP.

“In a way, most of the songs on this album are love songs,” says McNown. “They’re a tribute to my wife and my family, the people who care about who I am outside of music and give me a place of peace and unconditional love to come home to.”

McNown is currently amidst his “The Summer Vacation Tour” with upcoming dates in Delaware, Massachusetts, Illinois and more.

Leave On A Light Track List:
1. “Overdose (Slow Down)”
2. “First Born Daughter”
3. “Done For”
4. “Something to Someone”
5. “Selah’s Song”
6. “World Change Me”
7. “Famous to You”
8. “Same, Same Sun”
9. “Isn’t That Love?”
10. “Heart You Didn’t Break”
11. “Comets”
12. “Make my Peace”
13. “Standstill (My My My)”
14. “Greatest Audience of All”
15. “The Way She Says Goodbye”
16. “Space For You”
17. “The Room”

Reba Releases Fourth Music Capsule With ‘Ring Ring’

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Reba McEntire has released her fourth music capsule, the Ring Ring – EP.

The country superstar returns to the subject of previous hits on the new collection with the title track. Penned by Kellie Pickler, Bob DiPiero and Karyn Rochelle, the Dave Cobb-produced number dials up the drama for a collection of telephone-themed songs spanning her 50-year career. Songs on the collection include “It’s Your Call,” “She’s Callin’ It Love,” “Why Haven’t I Heard From You,” and “Long Distance Lover.”

Launching a tailored playlist in tandem with each music capsule, “The Reinvention Of Reba” Playlist out Aug. 3 follows McEntire refusing to stand still, as she reinvents herself with deeper themes, modern sounds, and songs shaped by life experience.

Reba is delivering a music capsule each month during the milestone celebration, and the One Night In Tulsa – EP, Hurt Like That – EP, and Ain’t Gonna Keep It Waitin’ – EPs are available now, as the thematically curated collections pair a newly recorded song with carefully selected tracks that span five legendary decades.

Ring Ring – EP Tracklist:
1. “Ring Ring” (Kellie Pickler, Bob DiPiero, Karyn Rochelle)*
2. “It’s Your Call” (Shawna Harrington-Burkhart, Liz Hengber, Bruce Burch)+
3. “Long Distance Lover” (Pauline Lee, Robert Rosenberg)^
4. “She’s Callin’ It Love” (Sunny Russ)#
5. “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” (Sandy Knox, T.W. Hale)+

* Produced by Dave Cobb
+ Produced by Tony Brown and Reba McEntire
^ Produced by Jerry Kennedy
# Produced by John Guess and Reba McEntire

IBMA Industry & Momentum Awards Nominees Unveiled

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The nominees have been revealed for the 2026 IBMA Industry & Momentum Awards, set to take place on Oct. 22 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

The Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in non-performing industry categories and honor the individuals who help advance bluegrass music and support its artists. The 2026 IBMA Industry Award nominees for Writer of the Year include Paul Burch, John Curtis Goad, Derek Halsey, Garret K. Woodward, and Gary Reid. The Songwriter of the Year nominees are Mark “Brink” Brinkman, Chris Jones, Rick Lang and Tim Stafford.

The IBMA Momentum Awards recognize artists and industry professionals in the early stages of their bluegrass music careers. In addition to honoring emerging talent, the awards also include recognition for a mentor whose guidance has had a significant and positive impact on upcoming artists and industry professionals. The Momentum Awards ceremony will take place on Oct. 21 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

The 2026 IBMA Momentum Award nominees for Band Of The Year include The Creekers, ShadowGrass, Remedy Tree,  The Cody Sisters and Under the Rocks. Vocalist of the Year nominees include Adam Miller, Lydia Hamby, Morgan Brake, Akulina Shamanov, and Ellie Hakanson. A full list of this year’s nominees can be found here.

Attendance at both events is included with registration for the IBMA Business Conference, which also provides access to a full lineup of programming at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Registration is now open.

Additional Acts Revealed For AMERICANAFEST 2026

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Additional artists have been revealed for AMERICANAFEST 2026, which will take place in Nashville Sept. 15-19.

Abigail Rose, Ashley Monroe, Meg McRee, Sam Stoane, The Band Loula, Clover County and more have joined the previously announced performers including Ana Cristina Cash, Amy Grant, Wynonna Judd, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines, and more. A full list of performers can be found here.

2026 AMERICANAFEST Festival Wristbands, which allow admission into evening showcase venues and select sanctioned special events are available online here

Artist Action: Kane Brown, Brantley Gilbert, The War And Treaty, Hannah Harper

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Kane Brown Teams With Coleman For New Signature Collection

Kane Brown

Kane Brown has partnered with Coleman for the limited-edition Coleman x Kane Brown Collection, the debut release from the brand’s first-ever music partnership. Inspired by Brown’s life on tour, love for the outdoors, and favorite summer traditions, the collection features a custom Steel-Belted Hard Cooler, Soft Cooler Sling, and Stainless-Steel Tumbler, with a Snap ‘N Go™ Hard Collapsible Cooler arriving later this year. The limited-edition collection offers fans a collectible take on outdoor essentials featuring Kane-inspired design details and his signature “KB” branding.

A longtime outdoorsman, Brown has incorporated Coleman products into both his personal life and professional life on the road. The collaboration builds on Coleman’s sponsorship of “The High Road Tour,” where Coleman gear traveled alongside Brown and his crew helping power the moments between performances. As Coleman’s official ambassador, Brown will influence product development and activations while introducing the brand to new audiences across music, culture, and lifestyle.

 

Brantley Gilbert Previews ‘Sins Of The Father’ At Listening Event

Photo: Braden Walker

Brantley Gilbert gathered with his industry friends and his label BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville earlier this month for an album listening event for his album Sins Of The Father, which is out today (July 24).

 

The War And Treaty Premiere Tiny Desk Concert

The War And Treaty

The War And Treaty have unveiled their Tiny Desk Concert on NPR Music. Recorded live at NPR Music Headquarters in Washington, DC, the husband-and-wife team of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter performed fan favorites including “Are You Ready to Love Me?,” “Down to the River,” “Five More Minutes,” “Don’t Say Goodbye,”“Shouldn’t Have,” and “High Heels,” the latter three of which are among the highlights of their new album, The Story of Michael and Tanya, available now via Atlantic Outpost.

 

Hannah Harper Gets Cheesy With New Sargento Partnership

Hannah Harper

Hannah Harper and Sargento, the family-owned cheese company, have formed a year-long partnership making Sargento the exclusive cheese sponsor of her national “String Cheese Tour.” Throughout the tour, fans can look forward to special Sargento experiences, including ticket giveaways, exclusive content and merch, and other surprises along the way.

Inspired by Harper’s viral original song, “String Cheese,” which celebrates the beautifully messy and meaningful moments of everyday parenting, Sargento reached out and gifted Harper a variety of Sargento String Cheese favorites. What began as an authentic connection between a longtime fan of the brand and a family-owned company has grown into the year-long partnership.

Mason Ramsey To Release Sophomore Project ‘Outlaw In Love’ In August

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Mason Ramsey is gearing up for the Aug. 14 release of his sophomore album on Sandlot Records, Outlaw in Love, with a new single “Hey There Trouble,” out now.

The feel-good summertime anthem was inspired by life on the road and the anticipation of returning to the one waiting back home, and was written by Ramsey alongside KThrash, Stella Lefty, Dalton Diehl and JKash. 

“I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out who I am as an artist, and this album feels like the closest I’ve come to capturing that,” shares Ramsey. “’Hey There Trouble’ is one of those songs that just makes you feel good – it’s about getting back home after being on the road and seeing that person who can instantly make everything better. The whole record has a sound that’s rooted in country but has some rock and roll swagger too.”

Outlaw in Love was produced by JKash, and showcases Mason’s growth as both a vocalist and storyteller while remaining firmly rooted in the timeless country influences that first set him apart.

Tomorrow (July 25), Ramsey will make his return to the Grand Ole Opry, where he’ll perform “Hey There Trouble” live for the very first time from the historic Circle.

Since becoming the youngest major-label country artist signed in nearly two decades, Ramsey has amassed more than 600 million global streams, earned a Gold single, headlined national tours, and built a social audience of more than 6.4 million followers.

Outlaw in Love Track List:
1. “Bad Intentions” (Mason Ramsey, Dan Henig, Griff, Kash, Slim Dan)
2. “Hey There Trouble” (Mason Ramsey, KThrash, Stella Lefty, Dalton Diehl, JKash)
3. “Drunk Off A Kiss” (Mason Ramsey, JKash, Noah Conrad, John Byron, Dalton Diehl, Cici Ward)
4. “Hypnotized” (Mason Ramsey, JKash, Jake Torrey, Sean Cook, Dan Henig)
5. “Outlaw in Love” (Mason Ramsey, Travis Heidelman, Cici Ward, Dalton Diehl)
6. “Hometown Girl” (Mason Ramsey, James October, Charlie Oraian)
7. “Hiding on the Highway” (Mason Ramsey, Babygirl, Bill Maybury)
8. “Slow Goodbye” (Mason Ramsey, Dalton Diehl, Cici Ward)
9. “Heart in Oklahoma” (Mason Ramsey, Whit Cane, Matty Mischna, KThrash)
10. “Me or My Guitar” (Mason Ramsey, JKash, Nick Long, Griff Clawson, Gian Stone)
11. “Life Sentence” (Mason Ramsey, Travis Heidelman, Cici Ward, Dalton Diehl)
12. “Hasta La Vista” (Mason Ramsey, JKash, Fede Vindver, Dan Henig, Nick Long)

Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen Top The MusicRow Radio Chart

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Morgan Wallen & Ella Langley; Photo: Caylee Robillard

Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen claim the No.1 spot on the MusicRow Radio Chart this week with their duet “I Can’t Love You Anymore.”

The hit comes off of Langley’s Dandelion and was written by Langley, Austin Goodloe and Joybeth Taylor.

“I Can’t Love You Anymore” currently sits at No. 3 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 3 on the Mediabase chart.

Langley will join Wallen one last time on his “Still The Problem Tour” on Aug. 1 in Philadelphia, PA.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Jackson Wendell Signs With Sony Music Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Jason McColl (Sr. Director, A&R, SMN), Enzo DeVincenzo (Red Light Management), Ken Robold (President & COO, SMN), Jackson Wendell, Taylor Lindsey (Chair & CEO, SMN), Nick Rhodes (Red Light Management), Shelby Pickering (A&R Representative, SMN). Photo: Matthew Berinato

Jackson Wendell has signed with Sony Music Nashville.

Hailing from Lufkin, Texas, Wendell first picked up a guitar as a child and began playing on his church’s worship team. He penned his first original “Ain’t Coming Home” at just 14 years old.

Since pursuing music full time, Wendell has shared the stage with artists including Parker McCollum, Tucker Wetmore, Flatland Cavalry, Randy Rogers and William Beckmann. Named to Pandora’s and One Country’s 2026 Artists to Watch lists, his 2025 single, “Drunk Words Are Sober Thoughts,” has earned nearly three million global streams. He recently signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Perfect Game Creative.

“Signing with Sony is an incredible honor and a dream come true,” he shares. “I’m thankful to everyone who has believed in me, worked alongside me, and supported this journey but it is also just the beginning. I can’t wait to share what’s next in this partnership with Sony Music Nashville.”

In celebration of the announcement, he released a new track, “East Texas Beauty Queen,” today. Wendell is currently on the road with McCollum and is slated to open for Lee Brice, Josh Turner and Mark Chesnutt later this summer.

Dan Alley Readies Debut Album For September

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Dan Alley will release his debut album, Keepin’ On, via River House Artists on Sept. 4.

The 11-track project, which explores themes of family, love and loss, was written alongside Neil Medley, Ryan Beaver, Kasey Tyndall and Sam Banks, among others and was produced by Lukas Scott. Alley solo-wrote five tracks on the project.

“Keepin’ On is the project I’ve wanted to make since moving to Nashville. These songs tell the story of my life – chasing a dream, heartbreak, falling in love, marriage, becoming a dad, getting sober, and learning how to make a living as a songwriter,” Alley shares. “The title track, ‘Keepin’ On,’ is a song I wrote early in my Nashville career. As soon as I wrote it, it changed my outlook on songwriting, and I knew it would be the title of an album someday.”

“My hope for this project is that down the road my kids will listen, and it might help them through a hard time or inspire them to chase their dreams,” he continues. “This album is a love letter to my family, a positive reminder to myself, and a thank you to everyone who has helped me keep on ‘Keepin’ On.’”

As a songwriter, Alley has earned cuts with Lainey Wilson, Jon Pardi, Drake Milligan, Braxton Keith and many more. He recently earned his second chart-topper with Hudson Westbrook’s “House Again,” following Luke Bryan’s “Country Song Came On.” On the charts now, Alley is a writer on Luke Combs’ fast-rising current single, “Be By You.”

Keepin’ On Tracklisting
1. “Keepin’ On” (Dan Alley)
2. “High And Dry” (Dan Alley)
3. “Little Longer” (Dan Alley, Neil Medley)
4. “The Bed I Made” (Dan Alley, Sam Banks)
5. “Mom Jeans” (Dan Alley, Brandon Kinney, Kasey Tyndall)
6. “He Went To Work” (Dan Alley, Neil Medley, Brandon Kinney)
7. “Losin’ End Of Lovin’ You” (Dan Alley)
8. “Whole ‘Nother High (feat. Mae Estes)” (Dan Alley, Mae Estes, Marti Dodson)
9. “Do It All For You” (Dan Alley)
10. “Lookin’ Up Missin’ You” (Dan Alley)
11. “Sand Keeps Falling” (Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver, Deric Ruttan)