“Heart of America,” a new song by Willie Nelson from The Gray House [Original Soundtrack From The Amazon Series] is out today, ahead of the arrival of the new soundtrack album Feb. 26.
The Gray House [Original Soundtrack From The Amazon Series] album release will coincide with the premiere of the limited Prime Video series The Gray House, and “Heart of America” captures the emotional core of the series, reflecting the themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring struggle for freedom at the very heart of it. Nelson’s contribution serves as a thematic anchor for the project, lending his unmistakable voice and legacy to a soundtrack rooted in the American experience.
“What a lucky day for us that Willie would take on performing a song for The Gray House,” says executive producer Kevin Costner. “I’m not sure what Willie’s process is, but it’s clear that Willie was ready and willing to go deep when thinking about that terrible moment in American history where our country was divided and at war with itself, a moment in time that I believe we still have not fully recovered from. Willie’s talent, while always on display, found a new depth at least for me. God Bless our country and bless this man!”
“Some songs don’t belong to one project… they belong to a people. ‘The Heart of America’ that Willie sings for The Gray House, feels like a new kind of anthem, one meant for every American,” adds executive producers Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary.
Arriving as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, The Gray House soundtrack also features artists including The War And Treaty, Lainey Wilson, Yolanda Adams, Shania Twain and more, and offers a timely reflection on the ideals, contradictions, and resilience that have shaped the nation since its founding. Through music rooted in history yet resonant today, the project underscores how stories of courage, resistance, and unity continue to define the American experience.
The Gray House series reveals the extraordinary true story of the unsung women who helped turn the tide of the American Civil War in favor of the Union. At its center are a Virginia socialite, her indomitable mother, a formerly enslaved ally, and Richmond’s most infamous courtesan – four women operating at the heart of Confederate power. Together, they evolve their Underground Railroad operation into a daring and highly effective espionage network, risking their lives and freedom to help preserve the nation’s future and safeguard American Democracy.
The eight-episode limited series will debut on Prime Video on Feb. 26 and features an ensemble cast led by Emmy winner Mary-Louise Parker, Daisy Head, Amethyst Davis, and Emmy nominee Ben Vereen, with original music from Lainey Wilson, Willie Nelson, Shania Twain, Killer Mike, Yolanda Adams, Jon Bon Jovi, and more. It is written by Leslie Greif, Darrell Fetty, and John Sayles, with all eight episodes helmed by director Roland Joffé.
The Gray House [Original Soundtrack From the Amazon Series] Track List:
1. The War And Treaty – “Blood In the River” (Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown, Jeff Fahey)
2. Adrienne Warren – “Unholy Water” (Jon Bon Jovi, Butch Walker, Desmond Child)
3. Yolanda Adams – “Love Will Rescue Me” (Anthony Evans, Nick Pothoven)
4. The War And Treaty – “If This Day” (Diane Warren)
5. Scott Stapp – “Red, White, & Blue” (Scott Stapp, Marti Frederiksen, Desmond Child)
6. Lainey Wilson – “Dead End Red Dirt Road” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Paul Thomas Sikes)
7. Larkin Poe – “The Devil’s Boat” (Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown, Jeff Fahey, Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter)
8. Killer Mike Featuring Lena Byrd Miles – “Smiling Eyes (Smiling Faces)” (Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield, Vidal Garcia, Cosmo Hickox, Robert Mandell, Max Perry, Michael Render)
9. Shainia Twain and Drake Milligan – “I’ll Be Here With You” (Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown, Jeff Fahey, Drake Milligan)
10. Willie Nelson – “Heart Of America” (Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown, Jeff Fahey)
ACM Lifting Lives Offers Emergency Financial Support For Industry Members Impacted By Winter Storms
/by Lauryn SinkACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music, is providing support to members of the country music community impacted by the recent winter storm across Tennessee including artists, songwriters, touring professionals and industry workers.
“We at ACM Lifting Lives are heartbroken by the devastation the recent winter storm has had across Tennessee and on those who call it home,” shares the organization in a statement. “During this difficult time, we want to support members of the country music industry who have been displaced or are without power, food, or other essential resources. If you have been affected by the storm and are in need of financial assistance, please complete the application below to the best of your ability. Our team is here to help and support you as you navigate this challenging moment.”
Access the application here.
MCA To Release ‘The Gray House [Original Soundtrack From The Amazon Series]’
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Heart of America,” a new song by Willie Nelson from The Gray House [Original Soundtrack From The Amazon Series] is out today, ahead of the arrival of the new soundtrack album Feb. 26.
The Gray House [Original Soundtrack From The Amazon Series] album release will coincide with the premiere of the limited Prime Video series The Gray House, and “Heart of America” captures the emotional core of the series, reflecting the themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring struggle for freedom at the very heart of it. Nelson’s contribution serves as a thematic anchor for the project, lending his unmistakable voice and legacy to a soundtrack rooted in the American experience.
“What a lucky day for us that Willie would take on performing a song for The Gray House,” says executive producer Kevin Costner. “I’m not sure what Willie’s process is, but it’s clear that Willie was ready and willing to go deep when thinking about that terrible moment in American history where our country was divided and at war with itself, a moment in time that I believe we still have not fully recovered from. Willie’s talent, while always on display, found a new depth at least for me. God Bless our country and bless this man!”
“Some songs don’t belong to one project… they belong to a people. ‘The Heart of America’ that Willie sings for The Gray House, feels like a new kind of anthem, one meant for every American,” adds executive producers Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary.
Arriving as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, The Gray House soundtrack also features artists including The War And Treaty, Lainey Wilson, Yolanda Adams, Shania Twain and more, and offers a timely reflection on the ideals, contradictions, and resilience that have shaped the nation since its founding. Through music rooted in history yet resonant today, the project underscores how stories of courage, resistance, and unity continue to define the American experience.
The Gray House series reveals the extraordinary true story of the unsung women who helped turn the tide of the American Civil War in favor of the Union. At its center are a Virginia socialite, her indomitable mother, a formerly enslaved ally, and Richmond’s most infamous courtesan – four women operating at the heart of Confederate power. Together, they evolve their Underground Railroad operation into a daring and highly effective espionage network, risking their lives and freedom to help preserve the nation’s future and safeguard American Democracy.
The eight-episode limited series will debut on Prime Video on Feb. 26 and features an ensemble cast led by Emmy winner Mary-Louise Parker, Daisy Head, Amethyst Davis, and Emmy nominee Ben Vereen, with original music from Lainey Wilson, Willie Nelson, Shania Twain, Killer Mike, Yolanda Adams, Jon Bon Jovi, and more. It is written by Leslie Greif, Darrell Fetty, and John Sayles, with all eight episodes helmed by director Roland Joffé.
The Gray House [Original Soundtrack From the Amazon Series] Track List:
1. The War And Treaty – “Blood In the River” (Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown, Jeff Fahey)
2. Adrienne Warren – “Unholy Water” (Jon Bon Jovi, Butch Walker, Desmond Child)
3. Yolanda Adams – “Love Will Rescue Me” (Anthony Evans, Nick Pothoven)
4. The War And Treaty – “If This Day” (Diane Warren)
5. Scott Stapp – “Red, White, & Blue” (Scott Stapp, Marti Frederiksen, Desmond Child)
6. Lainey Wilson – “Dead End Red Dirt Road” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Paul Thomas Sikes)
7. Larkin Poe – “The Devil’s Boat” (Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown, Jeff Fahey, Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter)
8. Killer Mike Featuring Lena Byrd Miles – “Smiling Eyes (Smiling Faces)” (Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield, Vidal Garcia, Cosmo Hickox, Robert Mandell, Max Perry, Michael Render)
9. Shainia Twain and Drake Milligan – “I’ll Be Here With You” (Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown, Jeff Fahey, Drake Milligan)
10. Willie Nelson – “Heart Of America” (Erin Enderlin, Jim “Moose” Brown, Jeff Fahey)
Blake Shelton Adds Eight New Dates At The Colosseum At Caesars Palace In May
/by Lorie HollabaughBlake Shelton. Photo: Jamie Wendt
Blake Shelton has added eight new dates to his “Live in Las Vegas” residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace from May 6-24.
Shelton revealed the news in true Blake fashion yesterday (Jan. 29), riding a Kubota tractor down the Las Vegas Strip and pulling up in front of Caesars Palace before tossing the keys to the valet for check-in for 2026.
Tickets for the newly-announced dates go on sale to the public Feb. 6, and Blake Shelton fans will have access to a pre-sale beginning Feb. 2. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Feb. 2-5. A Seated pre-sale will begin Feb. 2 and Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, as well as Ole Red, Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers, will have access to a pre-sale beginning Feb. 4. Tickets to the shows May 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 21, and 24 can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com/
Chase Rice & Dustin Lynch To Co-Headline Red Rocks Benefit Show
/by Lauryn SinkChase Rice & Dustin Lynch.
Chase Rice and Dustin Lynch will co-headline Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater on April 22. Presented by Coors Banquet, a percentage of the ticket proceeds will benefit the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF).
Tickets are on sale now.
“Red Rocks is such a legendary venue, I couldn’t be more pumped to be back – especially with my buddy Chase Rice joining me this time around,” shares Lynch. “I’m excited to partner with my friends over at Coors Banquet and help in their mission to support the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. This one’s going to be special, see y’all out there!”
With 10 No. 1 singles at country radio, Lynch’s latest track “Easy To Love,” is currently climbing the charts. Recently, the Grand Ole Opry star wrapped 2025 with an appearance on CBS’ The Road.
Rice’s most recent album, the independent release ELDORA, arrived in late 2025. Aside from a few previously scheduled appearances, Rice is currently taking a break from the road.
BMI To Kick Off Plug & Play Showcase In February
/by Lauryn SinkBMI will kick off its Plug & Play showcase series at The Basement in Nashville on Feb. 4. The first showcase will feature Future Crib, Preston James, Joelton Mayfield and Revelry.
Sponsored by Lone Star Beer and OLÉ, the series echoes the same sentiment behind the BMI Buzz at The Basement industry series, which ran from 2008 to 2018. The original series featured early-career performances from artists like Russell Dickerson, Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris and Caitlyn Smith.
“BMI has had a long-standing partnership with The Basement, as both continue to be deeply invested in the future of our creators and new music discovery,” says BMI’s Executive Director of Partnerships & Events, Nina Carter. “We look forward to reviving an intentionally curated lineup and atmosphere that brings our community together.”
“We are psyched to launch a new BMI monthly series that builds on our shared history,” adds The Basement Co-Owner Mike Grimes. “It feels like just like old times and we know BMI will identify exceptional talent this year.”
BMI Plug & Play at The Basement Dates:
2/04 – BMI Plug & Play feat. Future Crib, Preston James, Joelton Mayfield and Revelry
3/04 – BMI Plug & Play
4/01 – BMI Plug & Play
5/06 – BMI Plug & Play
6/03 – BMI Plug & Play
7/01 – BMI Plug & Play
8/05 – BMI Plug & Play
9/02 – BMI Plug & Play
10/07 – BMI Plug & Play
11/04 – BMI Plug & Play
12/02 – BMI Plug & Play
CRS 2026 Announces Expanded, Multi-Day Research Presentations
/by Lorie HollabaughCountry Radio Seminar has announced three research presentations scheduled for CRS 2026, which will be held March 18–20 in Nashville. Registration is available now.
Each of the three presentations are uniquely designed to address a different dimension of the country audience, including current music testing, listener perceptions and the next generation of fans.
“This year, CRS is working with three outstanding partners to bring a true trifecta of research to our constituents. CRS has never assembled or shared a research rollout this comprehensive,” says Clay Hunnicutt, CRB Research Committee Co-Chair. “Whether you’re looking for music research to identify potential hits, perceptual data to guide strategic decisions, or insight into what the next generation of country fans is saying to help grow our business, CRS has you covered every day.”
On March 18, NuVoodoo will present results from a 400-song Auditorium Music Test (OMT), presented by Curb Records, screening country fans ages 18–54 who engage with both radio and streaming platforms. The study will provide detailed breakouts by demographic segments, geographic regions across the U.S., and listening preferences. This marks the third consecutive year CRS has delivered a full national music test conducted by NuVoodoo, with complete results made available to all CRS attendees.
On March 19, CRS will present its annual Perceptual Study, conducted this year by Strategic Solutions Research. This broad-format study explores how country fans feel about the genre today, when and how they listen, and how listening behaviors are evolving. Key areas of focus include music perceptions such as era balance and familiarity artists listeners want to hear more or less of, and the ongoing impact of on-air personalities, local connection and community engagement on the listening experience.
On March 20, The Country Music Association will present findings from its recently completed teen-focused research study, a custom project designed to better understand the next generation of country listeners. Following the data presentation, a panel of radio and streaming programmers, as well as an artist (to be announced), will discuss the future audience pipeline for the genre, how teens engage with music today, and how country fits into their lives.
“Knowledge is power, and the research coming out of CRS this year reflects that,” says Justin Chase, CRB Research Committee Co-Chair. “By delivering three distinct research initiatives, CRS is providing the industry with a deeper, more complete understanding of listener behavior, music preferences, and where the future of country music is headed.”
Dolly Parton’s Life Of Many Colors Museum Announces Strategic Hirings Ahead Of June Opening
/by Lorie HollabaughJen Molyneux, Rebecca Seaver and Shannon Carpenter
Dolly Parton’s new Life of Many Colors Museum, which is set to open in June, has hired three new staffers who will play integral roles in supporting the museum’s development, operations and long-term vision of preserving Parton’s life, artistry and cultural impact.
Rebecca Seaver has been named Executive Director of the Life of Many Colors Museum, bringing more than 15 years of experience working closely with Parton as part of her core team. Dolly Parton’s niece and namesake, Seaver began their career behind the scenes in wardrobe and production, then went on to establish the official Dolly Parton Archive. She has since contributed to major exhibits at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Opry, The Country Music Hall Of Fame, Dollywood and The Grammy Museum. Seaver also curated Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, which became a New York Times Best Seller and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Audiobook. In their new role, Seaver will be responsible for the presentation of the museum’s exhibits, shaping its curatorial voice and long-term strategy through events and community partnership.
Jen Molyneux joins the museum as Events & Group Sales Manager, bringing nearly 30 years of experience producing high-impact events and live entertainment programs across hospitality, nonprofit, corporate, and performance-driven environments. Her career includes senior roles with Marriott International, MGM Resorts, and Caesars Entertainment, where she oversaw large-scale events, complex logistics, and multi-million dollar budgets. In a full-circle moment, Molyneux returns to work on Dolly Parton’s legacy after early career experience as a singer at Dollywood and contributor to Dolly’s first Interactive Museum, Chasing Rainbows.
Shannon Carpenter has been hired as Marketing Operations Coordinator, bringing more than a decade of experience supporting executives, talent, and creative teams across the entertainment and fashion industries. With a background in digital marketing, influencer partnerships, brand growth and operational management, Carpenter will support strategic initiatives and day-to-day execution as the organization prepares for the museum’s opening.
The appointments represent a major step forward in building the leadership and operational foundation for the Life of Many Colors Museum as it prepares to open its doors in 2026. Tickets for the Life of Many Colors Museum are available for pre-booking now at dollyslifeofmanycolors.com/
Morgan Wallen’s ’20 Cigarettes’ Reaches No. 1 On The MusicRow Radio Chart
/by John Nix ArledgeMorgan Wallen. Photo: Spidey Smith
Morgan Wallen tops the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with “20 Cigarettes.”
The track, off of his most recent album I’m The Problem, was written by Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Josh Miller and Blake Pendergrass.
Wallen recently made history being named RIAA’s highest-certified country artist of all time and third most-certified artist, all genre. He now has five singles that are Diamond-certified or higher.
“20 Cigarettes” currently sits at No. 4 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 5 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Sicily Rose Inks With Off Road Records
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): Off Road Records’ Director of Marketing, Becca Campbell; President, David Fanning; Rose; SVP, Marketing & Promotion Jamie Graves and Manager, Digital & Marketing Regan Donato.
Sicily Rose has inked with Off Road Records.
Raised in Montana and influenced by the sounds of Miranda Lambert, Fleetwood Mac and Reba McEntire, Rose has amassed more than 30 million views across social media platforms.
In celebration of the signing, she has released her first single, “Annabella Mae.” Written by Bonnie Dymond and Nik Lazcano, the track explores loss and its lasting impact.
“Sicily understands the power of honesty in a song,” shares Off Road Records President David Fanning. “‘Annabella Mae’ is a strong introduction to who she is as an artist and reflects the kind of songwriter and storyteller we want to build with at Off Road Records.”
Rose marks the label’s second signing, following Dylan Davidson.
Noah Kahan Slates Fourth Studio Album
/by Madison HahnenNoah Kahan will release his fourth studio album, The Great Divide, on April 24th via Mercury Records.
“The last five years have been the single most challenging, complicatedly beautiful, and life-altering of my career,” shares Kahan. “I was somewhere I understood, and suddenly I was somewhere completely foreign. I was living in the opportunity I always wanted but felt disoriented and unsure of whether I deserved it. Writing for this album was a balancing act of trying to go back in time and move forward in the same moment. Songwriting has always been the way I reflect on my life, and I hope these songs show you a glimpse of what this journey has looked like.”
The Great Divide showcases Kahan’s honesty, reflectiveness, and emotional resilience, with themes of Kahan’s evolving relationship with family, friends, home, and his sense of self. Gabe Simon and Aaron Dessner served as producers on the 17 track project, which was recorded at a secluded farm outside Nashville, Gold Pacific Studio in Nashville and Dessner’s Long Pond Studio in New York.
The album’s title track is out today (Jan. 3o), and was co-penned by Kahan and Simon. A special premiere of “The Great Divide” music video will air during Mastercard’s 2026 commercial break at the Grammy Awards Sunday (Feb. 1).
Kahan is slated to headline Bonnaroo this June.