Tim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein

Tim McGraw has announced his new album Standing Room Only is set for release on Aug. 25 via Big Machine Records. He’s giving fans a taste of the new project with the new song “Hey Whiskey,” out now.

Standing Room Only features 13 brand new tracks and was produced by McGraw and longtime producer Byron Gallimore. Among the writers contributing to the new album are Craig Wiseman, Jaren Johnston, Lori McKenna, Chase McGill and Kameron Marlowe.

The new album, his 17th studio project, marks McGraw’s first new record since 2020’s Here On Earth, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart. In tandem with the pre-save going live today, fans can purchase a collectors bundle with their vinyl or CD, featuring a new t-shirt, collectible trading card and poster.

“As an artist, I always want to dig deeper and get better every time I make a new record – it’s a big part of what drives me, and I really believe this is one of the best projects we’ve made. I’ve been working on this album since 2020, and this collection of songs are some of the most emotional, thought-provoking, and life-affirming music I’ve ever recorded,” McGraw shares. “I’m excited to have ‘Hey Whiskey’ out so fans can start hearing more of what we’re working on – and maybe even more before August…”

Today’s release of “Hey Whiskey” and its lyric video follows the album’s first single/title track “Standing Room Only,” which was released in March and is climbing through the Top 20 on the charts. “Standing Room Only” marks McGraw’s 92nd entrance into Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart. Throughout his career, McGraw has amassed 68 Top 10s and holds the Mediabase record for the most weeks at No. 1 with all titles, totaling 73 weeks, and also holds the record for second-most No. 1 albums in the U.S. just behind George Strait.

Standing Room Only Track List:
“Hold On To It” (Written by Ryan Larkins, Seth Mosley, Jimmy Yeary)
“Standing Room Only” (Written by Tommy Cecil, Patrick Murphy, Craig Wiseman)
“Paper Umbrellas” (Written by Monty Criswell, Drake Milligan)
“Remember Me Well” (Written by Heather Morgan, Jimmy Robbins)
“Hey Whiskey” (Written by Brad Hutsell, Joel Hutsell, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
“Her” (Written by Jason Gantt, Tim Nichols, Jimmy Yeary)
“Fool Me Again” (Written by Kameron Marlowe, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Rob Williford)
“Small Town King” (Written by Jaren Johnston, Jenn Schott, Jeremy Stover)
“Beautiful Hurricane” (Written by Mike Lane, Tony Lane)
“Cowboy Junkie” (Written by Bill Luther, Lance Miller, Justin Weaver)
“Nashville CA/L.A. Tennessee (Featuring Lori McKenna)” (Written by Tim McGraw, Lori McKenna, Bob Minner)
“Some Songs Change Your World” (Written by Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, Lance Miller)
“Letter From Heaven” (Written by Chase McGill, Lori McKenna, Parker Welling)

A new Willie Nelson studio album Bluegrass is slated for release on Sept. 15.

The project features Nelson performing 12 of his favorite self-penned classics with a bluegrass ensemble, and the first track from the album, “You Left Me a Long, Long Time Ago,” was released yesterday (June 22).

His 151st album, according to Texas Monthly’s interactive All Willie Nelson Albums Ranked list, Bluegrass presents classic Nelson compositions including “On the Road Again,” “Yesterday’s Wine,” “Still is Still Moving to Me,” “Good Hearted Woman” and more, re-interpreted by Nelson and his bluegrass band.

Produced by longtime musical collaborator Buddy Cannon, Bluegrass features musicians including Barry Bales (upright bass), Ron Block (banjo), Aubrey Haynie (fiddle), Rob Ickes (dobro), Josh Martin (acoustic guitar), Mickey Raphael (harmonica), Seth Taylor (mandolin), Bobby Terry (acoustic guitar, gut string guitar), Dan Tyminski (mandolin); and backing vocals by Wyatt Beard, Buddy Cannon and Melonie Cannon.

The album’s cover art was done by Micah Nelson—Willie’s son, a multimedia artist and musician—whose previous artwork for Willie includes the albums I Don’t Know a Thing About Love and First Rose of Spring, as well as 2013’s autobiographical New York Times bestseller Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road.

Bluegrass Track Listing:
1. No Love Around
2. Somebody Pick Up My Pieces
3. Good Hearted Woman (cowritten with Waylon Jennings)
4. Sad Songs And Waltzes
5. Home Motel
6. You Left Me A Long, Long Time Ago
7. Yesterday’s Wine
8. Bloody Mary Morning
9. Slow Down Old World
10. Still Is Still Moving To Me
11. On The Road Again
12. Man With The Blues

Pictured (L-R): Jennifer Turnbow (Chief Operating Officer, NSAI), Kelly Archer (songwriter/NSAI Board Member), Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Emily Shackelton (songwriter/NSAI Board Member), Bart Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI)

Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) re-launched have relaunched the Songwriters Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, establishing a group of like-minded lawmakers who support songwriters.

To celebrate the launch, Reps Lieu and Cline welcomed songwriters and representatives from various songwriter advocacy organizations to Capitol Hill, where the Members announced the formation of the caucus and heard songs performed by the songwriters who were present.

“My district in Southern California is home to many talented songwriters whose work contributes so much to our culture and society,” says Rep. Lieu. “I’m thrilled to join Congressman Ben Cline in co-chairing the new bipartisan Congressional Songwriter’s Caucus, which will work to support America’s brilliant songwriters by ensuring they can protect their work and make a living doing what they love. Music contributes so much to our way of life, and we must ensure those creating it are compensated fairly. I’m grateful to the numerous songwriter advocacy organizations who’ve partnered with us on the creation of this caucus and look forward to working together to support our artists.”

“Making art, specifically music, is a powerful way to leave a mark on the world,” said Rep. Cline. “It’s a part of our everyday lives, from what we listen to on our commutes in the morning, to the music we select for our most important life events, such as birthdays, weddings, and funerals. But today’s modern music landscape can make it more difficult for certain artists, especially independent songwriters, to make a living. That is why I’m proud to co-chair the Congressional Songwriters Caucus, which will play an important role in promoting the songwriting community by working to ensure the creative rights of songwriters are protected.”

The Congressional Songwriters Caucus is supported by Nashville Songwriters Association International(NSAI), National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), the Recording Academy, BMI and ASCAP.

In a statement to MusicRow, NSAI shares, “Since the Songwriters Caucus was initially launched 20 years ago technology has completely changed the way music is delivered. American songwriters still face challenges in the digital era and we are very grateful to Congressmen Cline and Lieu for their bipartisan support.”

NMPA President & CEO David Israelite says, “We applaud Representatives Cline and Lieu for leading the Congressional Songwriters Caucus and we are excited about today’s launch. NMPA is the leading advocate for music publishers and their songwriter partners and we greatly look forward to working with the Caucus to advance policy interests that will protect creators and ensure that songwriters thrive.”

The HBO Original concert special Brandi Carlile: in the Canyon Haze – Live from Laurel Canyon is set to debut July 1 at 8 p.m. ET on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.

Presented at the Ross House in Los Angeles and IMAX theater screens, the concert special was taped in 2022. Directed by Sam Wrench (Max Original Lizzo: Live in Concert) and originally broadcast live from Los Angeles’ historic Laurel Canyon neighborhood, this groundbreaking performance from the 9x Grammy-winning artist features lushly reimagined songs from her album, In These Silent Days. Alongside her band, Carlile brings her signature flair to a showcase of tracks, including an original take on David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” in a tribute to the vibrant music scene born in the Hollywood Hills.

Carlile was recently honored with the 2023 NMPA Songwriter Icon award. Brandy Clark performed “You and Me On The Rock” in a surprise tribute to Carlile, who produced her latest album, and singer-songwriter Allison Russell performed Carlile’s hit “This Time Tomorrow.”

Jamie Ernst, Jordin Wentworth

Underscore Works has added two team members to its Nashville-based office. Jamie Ernst has come on board as Artist Manager / Director of Marketing and Jordin Wentworth as Associate Manager.

Ernst joins Underscore Works from Average Joes Entertainment, where she held various positions over the past 13 years, including day-to-day management responsibilities for Colt Ford, Josh Gracin, Brantley Gilbert and others, as well as marketing efforts for the Average Joes’ label roster. She is a Nashville native and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Ernst brings her long-time client Sister Hazel to Underscore Works’ roster, which also includes Priscilla Block, Dalton Dover, Warren Zeiders, Logan Mize and Dipper.

Wentworth, a New York native, joins the company after holding prior positions as an Office Manager for attorney Bruce Phillips and Project Manager at Clearbox Rights, where she primarily worked with the catalog of music publisher Mojo Music and Media. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo.

“Jamie and Jordin have hit the ground running, providing a great level of service to the Underscore Works roster,” says Charly Salvatore, Founder of Underscore Works. “As the company’s first employees, they have set the bar high and helped define a team-first culture.”