Broken Bow Records Celebrates 50th No. 1

On Jan. 16, BMG Americas’ President, Frontline Recordings Jon Loba, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s EVP, Recorded Music JoJamie Hahr and BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s General Manager Peter Strickland surprised Broken Bow Records’ VP, Promotion Lee Adams and Broken Bow Records’ Director, Promotion West Coast Layna Bunt with a plaque celebrating their 50th number one for Broken Bow Records.

 

BMI Hosts ‘How I Wrote That Song’ Series

BMI hosted a Grammy edition of its How I Wrote That Song series at The London West Hollywood on Jan. 30.

The panel featured 2026 GRAMMY-nominated songwriters and producers Rogét Chahayed, INK, Edgar Barrera and Laura Veltz. BMI’s VP, Creative, Catherine Brewton led the discussion.

Over the two-hour panel, DJ Faucet played a couple of hit songs from each panelist, and the audience got an insider’s look into how each hit was created.

 

NEEDTOBREATHE Unveils ‘The Season of The Long Surrender’ Documentary

NEEDTOBREATHE has unveiled its The Season of The Long Surrender documentary.

Directed by Babysweet, The Season of The Long Surrender chronicles the making of the band’s 10th studio album, The Long Surrender. The documentary follows NEEDTOBREATHE in the studio, on stage, and on the road, with interspersed interviews with the band’s four members about what making the album has meant to each of them.

The Long Surrender will be released via MCA on March 27

 

Country Music Cruise Raises $57,900 Benefitting CMHOFM

Last week, the Country Music Cruise raised $57,900 benefitting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s nonprofit mission of preserving the history of country music and making it broadly accessible to a global audience.

The money was raised through auctioning two acoustic autographed guitars prior to Josh Turner’s two headline performances. Both guitars were signed by Country Music Hall of Fame members Randy Owen of Alabama, Jimmy Fortune of The Statler Brothers, and Patty Loveless, as well as Turner, T. Graham Brown, Linda Davis, David Frizzell, Wade Hays, The Malpass Brothers, Neal McCoy, Chuck Mead, Shenandoah, and others.

 

John Carter Cash To Unveil First Visual Art Exhibition

John Carter Cash will unveil his first visual art exhibition, “Dark Hallways,” on Feb. 13 at Southern Underground Gallery in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee.

“My art is not about the spaces we go through physically, but about those we move through internally,” he shares.

Cash will host an opening reception benefitting SOS Children’s Villages International.

Music Health Alliance has appointed Lindsay Hayes as Vice President of Development, and announced several staff promotions across its advocacy and healthcare navigation team.

In Hayes’ new role, she will lead the growth of MHA’s fundraising and strategic partnerships to ensure long-term financial sustainability. She brings more than 15 years of experience supporting artists and creative organizations through growth, transition and large-scale productions.

“For the past 10 years, producing Music Health Alliance’s annual benefit as a volunteer has been a source of great pride for me,” shares Hayes. “I’m thrilled to now make things official and join MHA at a time when their work has never been more vital.”

A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Hayes moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University, where she graduated magna cum laude before launching her career in the music business. Early in her career she worked on notable projects including the Grammy-nominated album I Love: Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow (Red Beet Records). She went on to spend nearly a decade in artist management before transitioning into a Marketing Director role at Red Light Management, and most recently served as General Manager of Collective Artist Management, overseeing operations, strategy and partnerships.

“For years we have hoped the stars would align for Lindsay to join us in an official capacity, and today feels like the answer to a very long prayer,” says Tatum Allsep, MHA Founder & CEO. “Lindsay brings a rare combination of innovative strategy expertise, deep industry knowledge, and a heart that beats for the wellbeing of our creative community. Having her leadership on our team is not only a dream realized, but a powerful investment in the future of Music Health Alliance and the people we are privileged to serve.”

In addition to Hayes’ appointment, Music Health Alliance has also promoted several key staff. Britton Barnette has risen to Senior Advocate Coordinator; Erin Lancaster to Director of Group Health; Sophie Badgett to Senior Manager of Advocacy & Insurance, Dental Coordination; Steven Crowder to Director of Advocacy & Insurance, Business Management Relations; Suzanne Berg to Director of Advocacy & Insurance, Artist Management Relations; and Zacquia McKinley to Director of Advocacy & Insurance.

“I’m so proud to celebrate these hard-earned promotions! Each of these six team members has advanced the mission of Music Health Alliance through their impactful results, innovation, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the music community we serve. These promotions honor the impact they’ve already made and their momentum to continue to Heal The Music,” says Allsep.

Hudson Westbrook has earned his first No. 1 single on Mediabase Country with “House Again.” With the achievement, the 21 year-old becomes the youngest solo male to ever top the country radio charts with a debut single.

The tune was co-penned by Westbrook, Dan Alley and Neil Medley, with production from Ryan Youmans and Lukas Scott.

Last month, Westbrook released his second EP Exclusive, where he collaborated lyrically with Medley, Scott, Beau Bailey, Alley and more across the five tracks. Throughout this year, Westbrook will open up for George Strait, Bailey Zimmerman and Morgan Wallen, as well as make appearances at CMC Rocks QLC, Stagecoach, Windy City Smokeout and more.