Luke Bryan To Kick Off ‘Word On The Street Tour’ In May

/by

Luke Bryan. Photo: Jim Wright

Luke Bryan has announced he’ll launch his “Word On The Street Tour” on May 29-30 in Gilford, New Hampshire.

Openers for the tour include Drew Baldridge, Karley Scott Collins, Lanie Gardner, Randall King, Zach John King, Shane Profitt, Raelynn, Lauren Watkins, Jake Worthington and DJ Rock. Bryan will visit Myrtle Beach, Albuquerque, Buffalo, Kansas City and many more cities on the tour, which wraps in August.

Presale for fan club members begins Jan. 27-29, with general tickets going on sale Jan. 30 at lukebryan.com. Citi cardmembers will also have access to presale tickets beginning Jan. 27-29 through the Citi Entertainment program.

Bryan recently ranked in the top 20 of Pollstar’s Artists of the Millennium List based on ticket sales (one of only two country artists on the list), having sold more than 20 million concert tickets in his career.

“Word On The Street Tour” Dates:
May 29 — Gilford, NH — BankNH Pavilion
May 30 — Gilford, NH — BankNH Pavilion
June 5 — Myrtle Beach, SC — Carolina Country Music Fest+
June 11 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena
June 12 — Lubbock, TX — United Supermarkets Arena
June 13 — Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater
June 18 — Wichita, KS — INTRUST Bank Arena
June 19 — Des Moines, IA — Casey’s Center**
June 20 — Winsted, MN — Winstock Country Music Festival+
June 25 — Allentown, PA — PPL Center
June 26 — Buffalo, NY — Taste of Country+
June 27 — Nashville, TN — Alan Jackson: Last Call at Nissan Stadium+
July 9 — Kansas City, MO — Morton Amphitheater*
July 10 — Moline, IL — Vibrant Arena
July 11 — Clarkston, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre*
July 23 — Southaven, MS — BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove
July 24 — Brandon, MS — Brandon Amphitheater
July 25 — Orange Beach, AL — The Wharf Amphitheater
July 30 — Rapid City, SD — Summit Arena at The Monument
July 31 — Billings, MT — First Interstate Arena at MetraPark
August 6 — Bend, OR — Hayden Homes Amphitheater
August 7 — Airway Heights, WA — BECU Live at Northern Quest
August 8 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre
August 14 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre
August 15 — Long Beach, CA — Long Beach Amphitheater
August 22 — Charlotte, NC — Truliant Amphitheater
August 26 — Canandaigua, NY — Constellation Brands–Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center
August 27 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre
August 29 — Saratoga Springs, NY — Saratoga Performing Arts Center*
September 10 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre*
September 12 — West Palm Beach, FL — iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre*
September 26 — East Troy, WI — Alpine Valley Music Theatre

** On sale Feb. 6
* On sale Feb. 13
+ Festival or event show

Ella Langley Extends Her Reign At No. 1 On The MusicRow Radio Chart

/by

Ella Langley; Photo: Caylee Robillard

Ella Langley extends her reign at No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Choosin’ Texas,” now in its fourth consecutive week at the top.

Langley wrote the track with Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor.

“Choosin’ Texas” currently sits at No. 3 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 3 on the Mediabase chart.

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

NEEDTOBREATHE Slate 10th Studio Album ‘The Long Surrender’

/by

NEEDTOBREATHE will release their 10th studio album The Long Surrender on March 27 via MCA.

The project was produced by Dave Cobb and recorded at Cobb’s Savannah studio. The 12 track record features 11 solo writes by frontman Bear Rinehart, as well as a co-pen from John Luke Carter. The album features already released tracks “The Long Surrender,” “Where You Call Home” and “Momma Loves Me,” featuring The Red Clay Strays.

“NEEDTOBREATHE feels vital on this album,” shares Cobb. “They came in with open hearts and gratitude, focused on nothing but the truth. You can feel it in Bear’s voice and in the musicianship throughout the record.”

“In the beginning I didn’t even think I was writing for a record—I was just writing in a therapeutic way, trying to get my head around what I wanted my life to look like going forward,” adds Rinehart. “There’s always been a guardedness as far as how personal I get in the songs, or how overtly I express certain things, but this time I was writing everything down as I was going through it. It felt like the songs were coming from a different place, and where we ended up almost feels like a whole new band.

“This album really clarified that, as an artist, I’ve got to put my convictions in front of anything else,” he continues. “I poured myself into it without trying to shape it for anyone or anything, and that’s what we’re going to keep doing from here on out. It’s definitely a better indicator of where we’re headed than where we’ve ever been, and in a lot of ways it feels it’s our very first record.”

NEEDTOBREATHE will kick off the second leg of “The Barely Elegant Acoustic Tour” on Feb. 4 in Mobile, Alabama. The tour will cities such as Tampa, Louisville, Tulsa, and more before wrapping on March 7 in Fort Worth.

The Long Surrender Tracklist:
1. “The Long Surrender” (William Rinehart)
2. “Say It Now” (William Rinehart)
3. “Highlands” (William Rinehart)
4. “Sing To Me Savannah” (William Rinehart)
5. “Where You Call Home” (William Rinehart)
6. “Strangeness Of It All” (William Rinehart, John Luke Carter)
7. “Take Me Dancing” (William Rinehart)
8. “The Door” (William Rinehart)
9. “Growing Slow” (William Rinehart)
10. “Momma Loves Me” (feat. The Red Clay Strays) (William Rinehart)
11. “Take The Blame” (William Rinehart)
12. “Spread The Ashes” (William Rinehart)

AIMP Nashville Young Professionals Committee Welcomes New Members

/by

Pictured (L-R, back row): Liz Mayo, Raleigh Berschback, Ree Guyer, JD Groover, Bob Squance, Chris Owen, Courtney Kruckeberg and Halle Bartlett. (L-R, front row): Samantha Sarno, Maurna Crosby, Jennifer Hall, Kirby Mathews, Ciara Shortridge, MaryAnn Keen, Melissa Spillman, Haily Harris and Abigail Wate Ayala. Not Pictured: Lily Bunta.

The Nashville chapter of AIMP (Association of Independent Music Publishers) has welcomed eight new members to its Young Professionals Committee for 2026.

Abigail Wate Ayala (Ace High Music), Bob Squance (Lady Luck Songs, Withrow Street Music), Chris Owen (Cornman Music), Halle Bartlett (One Riot Music), Jennifer Hall (Peermusic), Kirby Mathews (Back Blocks Music), Liz Mayo (The MLC), and Lily Bunta have all joined the Committee.

These new members will help spread the mission of AIMP, educating and informing music publishers about current industry trends and practices via discussions of issues and problems in the publishing industry.

Those interested in becoming an AIMP (Nashville) member can reach out to membership@aimpnashville.com.

Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Dolly Parton’s 80th Birthday With Fourth Annual ‘Opry Goes Dolly’ Show

/by

Opry Members Vince Gill and Lainey Wilson Perform During Opry Goes Dolly. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry celebrated Opry member Dolly Parton and her 80th birthday with its fourth annual “Opry Goes Dolly” show at the Opry House last weekend.

The special show highlighted songs from Parton’s iconic 1980s era and other classics from her catalog. Among those appearing were Vince Gill, Lainey Wilson, Rhonda Vincent, Mark Wills, Sierra Hull, Elizabeth Nichols and Trannie Anderson, who made her Opry debut. The night concluded with Gill and Wilson joining forces on Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” as well as her iconic “I Will Always Love You.”

In honor of the “Opry Goes Dolly” celebration, the Opry is partnering with Julien’s to give fans the chance to own a piece of country music history and support the Opry Trust Fund. The exclusive online-only auction runs through Feb. 2 and features a one-of-a-kind, Dolly Parton-signed microphone stand with signature rhinestones and butterflies throughout, including an autographed plaque. The mic stand was presented to Parton in 2025 as part of the Opry 100 celebration. The stand is accompanied by a framed photo of her on the night of her Grand Ole Opry induction at the Ryman on Jan. 4, 1969 taken by award-winning Opry staff photographer Les Leverett.

The Opry Trust Fund provides financial assistance in times of intense need, emergency, or catastrophe to individuals who are or have been employed full-time in a facet of the country music industry. Since its inception, the Opry Trust Fund has distributed more than $5.7 million. Five dollars from every ticket sold from the “Opry Goes Dolly” show will be donated to Parton’s Imagination Library, the book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Megan Moroney Brings Signature ‘Wit & Elan’

/by

Megan Moroney. Photo: Amber Asaly

Country music is here to warm your spirits while the weather howls outside.

Blake Shelton, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne and Lukas Nelson set the sonic bar high. Not to worry. Disc of the Day winner Megan Moroney matches their quality with ease.

Latin-country baritone Sunny Sauceda takes home this week’s DISCovery Award.

LEVI HUMMON / “Down to Earth”
Writers: Eric Arjes/Jen Schott/Levi Hummon; Producer: Eric Arjes; Label: Red Van Records
– This breezy, fizzy, bright, pop-country outing sizzles with energy. The ultra romantic lyric is supported by a video of Hummon’s beach wedding ceremony. You’ll wish you were there.

ASHLEY McBRYDE / “What If We Don’t”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Randall Clay/Terri Jo Box; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner Records Nashville
– The song is about throwing caution to the winds and taking romantic chances. A stately rhythm track marches it forward, and the choruses are stacked with harmonies. As always, she exudes emotional honesty. McBryde is booked for solo acoustic shows tonight and tomorrow at Chief’s Neon Steeple on Lower Broadway.

SUNNY SAUCEDA / “Sad Ole Country Song”
Writers: Mark Leon Lambert/Ronald H Day/Ronald Lynn Jackson; Producers: Stormy Cooper, Will Braun; Label: Azteca Ranch Music
– This is an instant classic. When things are going wrong, there’s nothing like the healing power of a downbeat hillbilly ditty, sings Sauceda. The jaunty tempo, steel-soaked production, twangin’ vocals, and super-catchy melody are all winners here. Get back to basics with this retro charmer.

MEGAN MORONEY / “Wish I Didn’t”
Writers: Emily Weisband/Hillary Lindsey/Luke Laird/Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Nashville/Columbia Records
– With tongue planted in cheek, she warns a faithless beau that there will be dire consequences if things don’t work out. A bopper performed with the wit and elan we have come to expect from this totally lovable star.

CAROLINE JONES / “You’re It For Me, Honey.”
Writers: Brandon Ratcliff/Caroline Jones/Lauren McLamb/Rob Grimaldi; Producers: Caroline Jones, Julian Raymond, Ric Wake; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– This bouncing thumper is an upbeat romance ditty with a deep-twang electric guitar, a densely compressed production, a cute lyric and a pert, personality-packed vocal. Tap yer toes and bounce along. Jones is a member of the Zac Brown Band.

PARKER McCOLLUM / “Big Ole Fancy House”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: MCA
– He’s rich but lonely, because she’s gone. His vocal is fine, but the muddy production drags him down.

LUKAS NELSON / “A Certain Someone”
Writers: Anderson East/Foy Vance/Lukas Nelson; Producer: Anderson East; Label: 6 Ace Records/Sony Music Nashville
– Gentle, wistful, yearning for love. His tender-yet-gritty vocal is super magnetic on this dreamy, beautifully written ballad. Applause, applause.

DAN SEALS & SARA EVANS / “Nights Are Forever”
Writer: Parker McGee; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Label: Melody Place
– They took Dan’s voice from this 1976 pop hit by England Dan & John Ford Coley. Sara added her sterling voice, but never overwhelmed his soulful delivery. Anything that reminds folks of how great he was is okay with me. Jamey Johnson, Luke Bryan and Jasmine Amy Rogers are also on board with new Dan Seals duets.

JOY OLADOKUN / “Nothing Comes Easy”
Writer: Joy Oladokun; Producer: Joy Oladokun; Label: Concord Records
– Critically acclaimed Oladokun marks her new label deal with Concord via this crisply produced, acoustic folk outing. It’s about persevering and being strong when the going gets rough. It’s also compelling listening.

BLAKE SHELTON / “Let Him in Anyway”
Writers: Carson Wallace/Kyle Clark/Michael Hardy/Zach Abend; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– A lovely sentiment. He has lost his best friend, who was a deeply flawed non believer. But he sends up a prayer for grace and forgiveness so that one day he will see his pal again in Heaven. As always, Shelton is a superb country vocalist.

CHASE MATTHEW / “Holdin’ It Down”
Writers: Alex Maxwell/Chase Matthew/Ethan Escue/Evan Mayo/Jordan Centers/Presley Aaron; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Chase Matthew Music/Warner Records Nashville
– Rural, small-town life is good. City ways are bad. It took six men to write this tuneless cliche?

BROTHERS OSBORNE / “Love the Lonely Out of You”
Writers: Connie Harrington/John Osborne/TJ Osborne; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: EMI Records Nashville
– The duo is issuing a live version of this former album track. The slow, bluesy outing sounds way more sensuous in this spare arrangement with simple guitars and vocal.

COLIN STOUGH / “Best For You”
Writers: Colin Stough/Phillip Kane; Producer: Copeland Culp; Label: BBR Music Group
– This former American Idol finalist takes on a country heartache ballad. He’s devastated by the breakup, but he wishes her well nonetheless. The pace is a little plodding.

CMHOFM Names New Troubadour Advisory Council Members & Leadership Team

/by

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has named the new members of its Troubadour Advisory Council Members and Leadership Team.

This year’s leadership team includes Zach Farnum, Chair (Owner, 117 Entertainment), Elizabeth Lombardi, Vice Chair (Executive, Business Affairs, Music, Creative Artists Agency), Brenden Oliver, Vice Chair (Director of Awards Stewardship, Country Music Association) and Max Vanberg, Vice Chair (Country Music Agent Trainee, William Morris Endeavor).

This new team will work with the Troubadour Advisory Council’s 2026 members, which includes Scott Adkins (President/CEO, Adkins Entertainment / Adkins Publicity), Karli Berman (Teacher, Metro Nashville Public Schools), Christopher Beverly (Business & Litigation Attorney, Shields Construction Law, PLLC), Corben Champoux (Employee Benefits Consultant, Brown & Brown of Tennessee), Kasey Cleckler (Owner, Executive + Performance Coach, Cape + Anchor), Katie Cline Moore (Business Manager, Cline Co Business & Financial Management), Taylor Edwards McElveen (Fixed Income Associate Portfolio Manager, AllianceBernstein), Bryan Freche (Client Services Associate – Music Entertainment Practice, Gallagher), Brittney Hitch (Senior Manager of Contracts & Booking, Bridgestone Arena), Ashley Kennedy (Senior Account Manager, FBMM Entertainment Business Management), Cody Kirby (Senior Counsel, Parallon — an HCA Affiliate), Chris Martignago (VP of A&R, Prescription Songs), Nathan Pyle (Director of Operations, Genni & Co.), Molly Shehan (Partner, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC), Casey Thomas (VP of Marketing, Lost Highway) and Josh Tomlinson (Director, A&R, ONErpm).

More information on Troubadour membership can be found here.

Carrie Underwood To Headline Wildlands 2026 In Montana

/by

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Randee St. Nicholas

The Wildlands Festival has announced the lineup for this year’s event, which returns July 31-Aug. 1 at the Big Sky Events Arena in Montana.

Set against the backdrop of 11,166-foot Lone Mountain, the sixth annual festival will feature headliner Carrie Underwood, along with performances from LeAnn Rimes, Riley Green and Kaitlin Butts. Produced by Outlaw Partners, Wildlands is a conservation-driven event which raises funds for conservation groups devoted to preserving the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, benefiting vital land, water and wildlife initiatives. The lead conservation partner for 2026 will be the Property and Environment Research Center.

Previous Wildlands Festival artists include Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, Lord Huron, Dierks Bentley, Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Indigo Girls, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Robert Earl Keen and Madeline Hawthorne, among others.

CRS & Whitney Allen Launch ‘Hot Mic’ Scholarship For Emerging Female On-Air Talent

/by

Country Radio Seminar and recently retired Country Radio Hall of Fame on-air personality Whitney Allen have partnered to launch the new Whitney Allen “Hot Mic” Scholarship, designed to support and elevate emerging female on-air talent in country radio.

The scholarship will award one recipient a complimentary full registration to CRS 2026, along with round-trip airfare to Nashville and accommodations at the Omni Nashville Hotel, ensuring hands-on access to the educational and networking event. The purpose of the Whitney Allen “Hot Mic” Scholarship is to identify female on-air personalities early in their careers who are striving to make a meaningful impact at their station, in their community, and within the country format.

Allen began her radio career in 1979 and transitioned into country radio in 1982. After early success at KCBQ/San Diego, she moved into the L.A. market at Pirate Radio and KIIS before joining the nationally syndicated “After Midnite” in 1995. She later hosted afternoons at KZLA/Los Angeles and went on to create and host “America’s Hot List,” as well as “The Big Time” and “Big Time Saturday Night.” Over the course of her career, Allen earned multiple CMA and ACM Personality of the Year nominations, was named a Radio Hall of Fame nominee, received a Gracie Award in 2018, and was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2022.

“Your program director, music director, or owner may attend CRS and return with notes on what stood out to them or what they felt was important,” says Allen. “And while that insight is valuable, it’s still only part of the story. When you’re not there in person, you miss the full picture. Hearing success stories and seeing the stats is one thing, but experiencing the presentations firsthand, delivered with real-world experience, energy, and genuine passion, is something entirely different. That’s what stays with you when you go home. That’s what sparks new ideas, shifts perspective, and inspires real change.”

Eligible female applicants must have one to five years of experience in the radio industry, serve in a primary on-air role, and be first-time attendees of CRS. Applications must be submitted here by Feb. 2.

BREAKING: Todd Horvath Named BMI President & COO

/by

Todd Horvath.

BMI has named Todd Horvath as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 26.

In this new role, Horvath will report to BMI CEO Mike O’Neill and oversee the company’s ongoing efforts to modernize its platforms, identify new sources of revenue and improve the affiliate experience at BMI. He will divide his time between BMI’s Nashville and New York offices.

Horvath’s addition to the BMI leadership team will enable O’Neill, who recently extended his contract through 2029, to continue to focus on the strategic vision of the company.

“I’m excited to welcome Todd to BMI as we build upon the many efforts we’ve undertaken over the past three years to create long term value for our affiliates,” says O’Neill. “Todd’s unique skill set is a perfect complement to our team, and I look forward to his contributions as we continue to drive growth and position BMI for the future.”

Horvath joins with more than 20 years of experience in the international financial services sector, with a significant focus on integrating transformative technology into organizations. Most recently, he served as Equifax President of U.S. Information Solutions. Prior to that, Horvath was the President of Banking Solutions for Fiserv, where he led multiple billion-dollar divisions and drove a significant technology transformation. He also spent nearly 15 years at ADP, ultimately overseeing all its international business as President of Multinational Clients.

“I’m honored to join BMI at a time of great change and opportunity in the industry,” adds Horvath. “I’ve spent a good deal of time getting to know Mike over the past few months, and I am excited by his vision for the company and BMI’s mission on behalf of its songwriters, composers and publishers. I look forward to working with the entire team at BMI to unleash additional opportunities that will continue to position BMI as the leading PRO in the business.”