Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan Celebrate Backstage Ahead Of Stadium Show Date
Pictured (L-R): Maverick’s Clarence Spalding, Jason Aldean, Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell, Maverick Chris Parr, KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan celebrated backstage ahead of their co-headlining stadium show at UGA’s Sanford Stadium. The show marked the stadium’s first show in 13 years, and only the second time a show had ever been played there.
Scotty McCreery Recognized With No.1 Hit & Gold/Platinum Plaques In Canada
Pictured (L-R): Bobby Hamrick, Scotty McCreery, Warren Copnick and Frank Rogers. Photo: Nathan Thomas
Backstage at his show at the Rama Casino in Orillia, Ontario, Canada on April 25, Sony Music Canada presented Triple Tigers Records recording artist, Scotty McCreery, with two plaques recognizing his Canadian career accomplishments.
The first plaque celebrated his recent No.1 hit in Canada, “Bottle Rockets,” which featured Hootie & The Blowfish. The second plaque recognized his Gold album Seasons Change, four Gold singles (“In Between,” “You Time,” “It Matters to Her,” and “Bottle Rockets”), two Platinum singles (“This is It” and “Damn Strait”) and the double-Platinum single “Five More Minutes.”
Mike Molinar Serves As Cafecito Fundraising Brunch Co-Chair
Pictured (L-R): Mike Molinar, Tara Lentz, Tricia Herzfeld and Martha Silva.
Mike Molinar recently co-chaired the Cafecito fundraising brunch.
As the son of Mexican immigrants and the first generation in his family to graduate from college, Molinar shared his personal connection to the organization’s mission of building a welcoming community and creating opportunities where Latino families can belong, contribute and succeed.
Leslie Fram & Wendy Moten Speak At NBJ’s ‘Women of Influence’
Wendy Moten and Leslie Fram. Photo: Jolie Monet for NBJ
Leslie Fram, CEO of FEMco, and Wendy Moten delivered a keynote address at this year’s Nashville Business Journal‘s “Women of Influence” awards on April 22 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville. Each women discussed the importance of embracing career changes.
“When something ends, you can be grateful for that time, the people that you met, all the relationships that you’ve built and all that you’ve learned,” Fram shared. “For many women, it’s about taking that leap of faith and betting on yourself. The opportunity may come when you least expect it, but you’ll know when you’re ready for a new adventure.”
“Listen, I’ve had an extraordinary career, but I didn’t know how I was going to make a living as a 57-year-old woman in the music business,” Moten added. “Deciding to go on a show like ‘The Voice’ was a big pivot for me. Life changes, the music industry changes, any kind of business that you’re in changes. People will doubt you, don’t listen to those voices…keep trying things, listen to your inner voice and don’t give up.”
By Design Appoints Luci Payne As Marketing Project Manager
Luci Payne.
By Design has appointed Luci Payne as Project Manager. She joins following her tenure as Marketing Project Management Coordinator at MCA.
“What stood out immediately about Luci is her work ethic and her alignment with how we build,” says Josh Thompson, Founder. “We’re deeply committed to putting artists at the center, and she brings the kind of care, detail and relational instinct that makes that possible at scale. Even before we met her, her name kept coming up from people we trust — and there’s a reason for that. She has a reputation for being someone people genuinely love working with, and she embodies the spirit of what we’re building here.”
CMHOFM Hosts Film Screening & Discussion Of ‘The Palomino’
Pictured (L-R): Tony Booth, Rosie Flores, James Intveld, CMHOFM Writer-Editor Erin Osmon and Scott B. Bomar. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently hosted a film screening of the new documentary The Palomino, which chronicles the story of the Palomino Club from its mid-century beginnings until its closure in 1995.
Following the screening, Museum Writer-Editor Erin Osmon led a discussion with the filmmakers, Tony Booth, Rosie Flores, James Intveld and country music historian Scott B. Bomar to discuss the club’s significance and legacy, as well as the making of the new film.
NaSHOF Express Yourself Songwriting Program Celebrates 10 Years
Pictured: Noelle Adams, Grayson Townsend, Eliott West, Ezra Moore, Carol Ann Etheridge Ford, Mark Ford, Mason Finney, Madelyn Elzey, Joey Hines, Mason Blackmon and Mike Porter.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) recently celebrated 10 years of its Express Yourself songwriting program for Nashville middle-school students with a party and concert at Belmont University’s Columbia Studio A on Music Row. Accompanied by families and friends, two dozen new songwriters performed their original songs at NaSHOF’s 4th Annual All-Schools Concert.
“It’s been an amazing 10 years of writing songs, building community and watching lifelong friendships emerge,” says Program Coordinator Carol Ann Etheridge Ford. “I’m so proud of how these students have blossomed creatively this year. It would be a dream come true to one day see one of these young writers inducted into our hall of fame.”
NSAI Unveils 2026 Board Of Directors
/by Madison HahnenDuring the general election held earlier this year, nine existing board members were re-elected to begin an additional two year term, including Trannie Anderson, Steve Bogard, Chris DeStefano, J.T. Harding, Byron Hill, Jamie Moore, Liz Rose, Jenn Schott and Emily Shackelton. Additionally, Roger Brown will serve as Legislative Chair, Parker Welling as Industry Liaison, and Rhett Akins and Drew Baldridge as Artist-Writers, all for one year terms.
Kelly Archer, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Hodges, Lee Thomas Miller, Tim Nichols, Josh Osborne, Deric Ruttan, Lydia Vaughn, Troy Verges, Ben Williams, Dan Wilson and Jimmy Yeary are current board members whose terms expire in 2027.
The official officer board for the year includes Miller (President), Schott (Vice President), Brown (Legislative Chair), Welling (Industry Liaison), Nichols (Sgt.-at-Arms), Hill (Secretary) and Bogard (Treasurer). Osborne, Rose and Verges also serve as At-Large Members of the Executive Committee.
NSAI Board elections are voted on by the NSAI Professional Songwriter Membership and appointments by the NSAI Board of Directors.
Industry Ink: Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan, Scotty McCreery, Mike Molinar, ‘Women of Influence,’ More
/by Lauryn SinkJason Aldean & Luke Bryan Celebrate Backstage Ahead Of Stadium Show Date
Pictured (L-R): Maverick’s Clarence Spalding, Jason Aldean, Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell, Maverick Chris Parr, KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan celebrated backstage ahead of their co-headlining stadium show at UGA’s Sanford Stadium. The show marked the stadium’s first show in 13 years, and only the second time a show had ever been played there.
Scotty McCreery Recognized With No.1 Hit & Gold/Platinum Plaques In Canada
Pictured (L-R): Bobby Hamrick, Scotty McCreery, Warren Copnick and Frank Rogers. Photo: Nathan Thomas
Backstage at his show at the Rama Casino in Orillia, Ontario, Canada on April 25, Sony Music Canada presented Triple Tigers Records recording artist, Scotty McCreery, with two plaques recognizing his Canadian career accomplishments.
The first plaque celebrated his recent No.1 hit in Canada, “Bottle Rockets,” which featured Hootie & The Blowfish. The second plaque recognized his Gold album Seasons Change, four Gold singles (“In Between,” “You Time,” “It Matters to Her,” and “Bottle Rockets”), two Platinum singles (“This is It” and “Damn Strait”) and the double-Platinum single “Five More Minutes.”
Mike Molinar Serves As Cafecito Fundraising Brunch Co-Chair
Pictured (L-R): Mike Molinar, Tara Lentz, Tricia Herzfeld and Martha Silva.
Mike Molinar recently co-chaired the Cafecito fundraising brunch.
As the son of Mexican immigrants and the first generation in his family to graduate from college, Molinar shared his personal connection to the organization’s mission of building a welcoming community and creating opportunities where Latino families can belong, contribute and succeed.
Leslie Fram & Wendy Moten Speak At NBJ’s ‘Women of Influence’
Wendy Moten and Leslie Fram. Photo: Jolie Monet for NBJ
Leslie Fram, CEO of FEMco, and Wendy Moten delivered a keynote address at this year’s Nashville Business Journal‘s “Women of Influence” awards on April 22 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville. Each women discussed the importance of embracing career changes.
“When something ends, you can be grateful for that time, the people that you met, all the relationships that you’ve built and all that you’ve learned,” Fram shared. “For many women, it’s about taking that leap of faith and betting on yourself. The opportunity may come when you least expect it, but you’ll know when you’re ready for a new adventure.”
“Listen, I’ve had an extraordinary career, but I didn’t know how I was going to make a living as a 57-year-old woman in the music business,” Moten added. “Deciding to go on a show like ‘The Voice’ was a big pivot for me. Life changes, the music industry changes, any kind of business that you’re in changes. People will doubt you, don’t listen to those voices…keep trying things, listen to your inner voice and don’t give up.”
By Design Appoints Luci Payne As Marketing Project Manager
Luci Payne.
By Design has appointed Luci Payne as Project Manager. She joins following her tenure as Marketing Project Management Coordinator at MCA.
“What stood out immediately about Luci is her work ethic and her alignment with how we build,” says Josh Thompson, Founder. “We’re deeply committed to putting artists at the center, and she brings the kind of care, detail and relational instinct that makes that possible at scale. Even before we met her, her name kept coming up from people we trust — and there’s a reason for that. She has a reputation for being someone people genuinely love working with, and she embodies the spirit of what we’re building here.”
CMHOFM Hosts Film Screening & Discussion Of ‘The Palomino’
Pictured (L-R): Tony Booth, Rosie Flores, James Intveld, CMHOFM Writer-Editor Erin Osmon and Scott B. Bomar. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently hosted a film screening of the new documentary The Palomino, which chronicles the story of the Palomino Club from its mid-century beginnings until its closure in 1995.
Following the screening, Museum Writer-Editor Erin Osmon led a discussion with the filmmakers, Tony Booth, Rosie Flores, James Intveld and country music historian Scott B. Bomar to discuss the club’s significance and legacy, as well as the making of the new film.
NaSHOF Express Yourself Songwriting Program Celebrates 10 Years
Pictured: Noelle Adams, Grayson Townsend, Eliott West, Ezra Moore, Carol Ann Etheridge Ford, Mark Ford, Mason Finney, Madelyn Elzey, Joey Hines, Mason Blackmon and Mike Porter.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) recently celebrated 10 years of its Express Yourself songwriting program for Nashville middle-school students with a party and concert at Belmont University’s Columbia Studio A on Music Row. Accompanied by families and friends, two dozen new songwriters performed their original songs at NaSHOF’s 4th Annual All-Schools Concert.
“It’s been an amazing 10 years of writing songs, building community and watching lifelong friendships emerge,” says Program Coordinator Carol Ann Etheridge Ford. “I’m so proud of how these students have blossomed creatively this year. It would be a dream come true to one day see one of these young writers inducted into our hall of fame.”
Ian Harrison’s Debut EP ‘Jealous’ Due In May
/by Lorie HollabaughIan Harrison is gearing up for the release of his debut EP, Jealous, which is due out May 22 via Sony Music Nashville/Free Flight Records. Along with the announce, Harrison taps into the familiar feeling of not wanting to let go on his new track, “Not Yours,” out now.
“It’s a song about not being able to move on from someone, but it’s more than just not wanting to; it’s about when there’s something in your heart or head holding you back,” says Harrison of the new single. “You can try over and over again to forget someone and get better but fail every time, even when the new person in front of you is perfect on paper.”
For Harrison, Jealous gives a name to the quiet chaos of being 24 and unsure: of what you want, how to get there, and why it feels like everyone else already has it figured out. The rising talent views envy as a guide that can encourage going deeper and seeking the answers within yourself instead of the lives and possessions of our neighbors. Across songs about longing, rejection, faith, and complacency, Harrison explores the messy, revelatory, formative experiences of early adulthood. The seven-song project also features previously released tracks “Cigarette” and “Games.”
Harrison is currently in the UK supporting Cooper Alan on the “To The Park Tour” through April 29.
Jealous Track Listing:
1. “Jealous” (Ian Harrison, AJ Pruis, Nolan Sipe)
2. “Not Yours” (Ian Harrison, Joseph Spargur, Nolan Sipe)
3. “What Happens Next” (Ian Harrison, Todd Tran, Spencer Jordan, Joe Tounge, Chandler Eggleston)
4. “Cigarette” (Ian Harrison, Rory Adams, Thomas Daniel, Mike Robinson)
5. “Nobody Else” (Ian Harrison, Ben Van Maarth, Autumn Marie Buysse)
6. “Games” (Ian Harrison, Daniel Agee, Carson Wallace)
7. “Feeling Nothing” (Ian Harrison, Johnny Simpson, Andrea Rosario)
Billboard Country Live Returns To Category 10 In June
/by Lauryn SinkThe Red Clay Strays & Tucker Wetmore
Billboard Country Live will return to Category 10 this summer.
The Red Clay Strays will headline on June 4, and Tucker Wetmore will take the stage on June 5. Additional guests will be announced at a later date.
All shows will be free and open to the public. Attendees can RSVP here.
Additionally, on June 3, Billboard will host an exclusive gathering on the rooftop of Category 10 honoring Billboard’s Country Power Players.
Shaboozey Announces New 25-Date ‘Outlaws Never Die Tour’ For Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughShaboozey. Photo: Hunter Moreno
Shaboozey is returning to the road this fall on the “Outlaws Never Die Tour,” which launches Sept. 8 in Phoenix.
The tour will visit Austin, Oklahoma City, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Chicago and more, with a Nashville stop Sept. 18 at Ascend Amphitheater. Across the run, Shaboozey will invite an array of special guests and past collaborators including Brittney Spencer, Noeline Hofmann, Kashus Culpepper, Carter Faith and Angel White. BigXThaPlug will also join for two special shows in Canada, while Noah Cyrus will open at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The tour concludes with a blowout finale at Los Angeles’ famed Greek Theatre.
Shaboozey has partnered with PLUS1 for the “Outlaws Never Die Tour,” with $1 from each ticket supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“Music has an extraordinary power to bring people together and inspire change, and we’re incredibly grateful to Shaboozey for using his voice and his tour to support St. Jude through this PLUS1 campaign,” says Lyles Eddins, Senior Vice President of Development for ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Generosity like this helps ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live.”
Shaboozey’s new concept album The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales is set to be released July 31. The project is a cinematic outlaw revenge story with a tragic love at its center. A new single from the album, “Born To Die,” is out now.
The new music follows a whirlwind two years for Shaboozey kicked off by 2024’s breakthrough record Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going and a slew of smash hits including the Grammy-nominated “Good News” and the history-making, Diamond-certified “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Last year Shaboozey released the expanded edition of Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, featuring “Amen” with Jelly Roll, which won the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Earlier this month, Shaboozey received two Academy Of Country Music Award nominations for New Male Artist Of The Year and Music Event Of The Year for “Amen.”
“Outlaws Never Die Tour” Dates:
9/8/26 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre !
9/11/26 – Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater !
9/12/26 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom !
9/15/26 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Criterion !
9/16/26 – Chesterfield, MO @ The Factory !
9/18/26 – Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater *
9/19/26 – Atlanta, GA @ Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park *
9/20/26 – Charlotte, NC @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre *
9/22/26 – Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater *
9/24/26 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell #*
9/25/26 – Toronto, ON @ RBC Amphitheatre #*
9/28/26 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway *
9/30/26 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem *
10/3/26 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall $
10/6/26 – Philadelphia, PA @ Skyline Stage at Highmark Mann $
10/7/26 – Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live! Outdoor Amphitheater $
10/9/26 – Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom $
10/10/26 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory $
10/13/26 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre %$
10/17/26 – Vancouver, BC @ Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre ^
10/18/26 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre ^
10/20/26 – Portland, OR @ Theatre Of The Clouds ^
10/23/26 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic &
10/24/26 – Sacramento, CA @ Channel 24 &
10/27/26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre ^
Brittney Spencer = !
Noeline Hofmann = *
BigXThaPlug = #
Kashus Culpepper = $
Noah Cyrus = %
Carter Faith = ^
Angel White = &
Luke Combs Makes Radio History
/by Madison HahnenPhoto: Robby Klein
Luke Combs has set radio history with his current singles “Sleepless in a Hotel Room” and “Days Like These.”
With the two tracks, Combs is the first artist in history to have two different solo songs simultaneously at No. 1 the Billboard and Mediabase country radio charts. “Sleepless in a Hotel Room” is currently spending its third week on top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. “Days Like These” just went No. 1 on the Mediabase Country Aircheck chart, giving Combs his 21st consecutive hit. This extends the record for the most consecutive No. 1s to start a career, held by Combs.
“Days Like These” is also sitting at No. 2 on the Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, giving Combs the title as the first artist to hold the top two spots simultaneously, and the first to do so twice, after “Fast Car” and “Love You Anyway” achieved this feat in 2023.
In addition to radio wins, Combs is also breaking attendance records on his “My Kinda Saturday Night Tour.” Every show so far has set new attendance records, including at Allegiant Stadium, Scott Stadium, Jack Trice Stadium, and Notre Dame Stadium. His most recent show at Ohio Stadium was his biggest show to date, playing in front of 97,367 fans.
So far this year, Combs has been honored with a TIME100 cover story, has scored three ACM Award nominations, and released his newest album The Way I Am. The project debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200, selling 100,700 equivalent units.
MusicRow Releases 2026 InCharge Issue, Russell Dickerson Graces The Cover
/by MusicRow StaffMusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading music industry trade publication, is proud to announce the 2026 release of its flagship print directory, InCharge.
This annual guide highlights some of the Nashville music business’ most influential industry executives. This year’s edition includes 384 profiles, accompanied by contact information, career biographies and detailed board and organizational membership affiliations.
The guide also includes a record label staff index, a company appendix and a professional categories appendix, which lists executives by their areas of expertise, including label, talent agency, management, music publishing, legal, finance, performing rights organizations and more.
“Nashville’s music industry continues to evolve. Its strength remains rooted in the people doing the hard work, building careers, developing talent and finding new ways to connect music with audiences,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “Whether inside record labels, management companies, booking agencies, publishing companies, media organizations and other segments of our community, the people on these pages are the ones who move things forward.”
Multi-Platinum chart-topper Russell Dickerson graces the cover of the 2026 InCharge issue.
The Triple Tigers recording artist burst onto the scene with a remarkable run of No. 1 hits—“Yours” (3X Platinum), “Blue Tacoma” (2X Platinum), “Love You Like I Used To” (2X Platinum), “Every Little Thing” (Platinum), “God Gave Me a Girl” and most recently the Platinum-certified “Happen to Me”—cementing his reputation as one of country music’s most consistent hitmakers. Dickerson has amassed nearly four billion career streams to date.
His sold-out live show became the driving force behind his fourth studio album, FAMOUS BACK HOME, a high-energy, confidence-fueled project that mirrors the electricity of his sold-out “RUSSELLMANIA TOUR”—now extended through 2026.
Single copies of MusicRow’s 2026 InCharge issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $115, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
Willow Avalon To Kick Off North American Tour In June
/by Lorie HollabaughWillow Avalon. Photo: Silken Weinberg
Singer-songwriter Willow Avalon will embark on an extensive new North American headline tour beginning in June.
The run will include stops in San Diego, Cheyenne, New York, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Atlanta, Richmond and many more through Oct. 25. Tickets go on sale today (April 28), and ticket information can be found here.
The news follows the announcement of her sophomore album, Pink Pocket Pistol, due out June 26. She celebrated the new album over the weekend at her debut Stagecoach set, playing songs from the album to a crowd of thousands.
Pink Pocket Pistol includes recent singles “Easy On The Eyes” and “Cardinal Sin” featuring Jason Isbell. The new singles mark Avalon’s first new music since her January 2025 debut, Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell. After making her debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage last year, she was named one of the Opry’s class of 2026 NextStage artists.
Willow Avalon Tour Dates:
May 27—Nashville, TN—Nashville Municipal Auditorium*
June 4—Nashville, TN—CMA Festival
June 7—Lexington, KY—Railbird Festival
June 20—Boyne, City, MI—Lavender Hill Farm
June 28—Aztec, NM—Tico Time Country Fest
July 18—Beech Mountain, NC—Party On The Mountain
July 23—Cheyenne, WY—The Lincoln Cheyenne
July 25—Three Forks, MT—Headwaters Country Jam
July 26—Calgary, AB—Commonwealth
July 28—Vancouver, BC—Commodore
July 29—Seattle, WA—Showbox
July 30—Portland, OR—Wonder Ballroom
August 1—Camino, CA—Folk on The Farm
August 2—San Francisco, CA—August Hall
August 4—Los Angeles, CA—The Fonda
August 5—San Diego, CA—House of Blues
August 6—Phoenix, AZ—Crescent Ballroom
August 8—Salt Lake City, UT—The Grand
August 9—Denver, CO—Gothic Theatre
August 11—Omaha, NE—Waiting Room
August 12—Minneapolis, MN—Fine Line
August 13—Kansas City, MO—The Truman
August 15—Oklahoma City, OK—Beer City Music Hall
August 16—Houston, TX—The Heights Theater
August 18—Austin, TX—Scoot Inn
August 19—Dallas, TX—Granada Theatre
September 8—Atlanta, GA—Terminal West
September 9—Carrboro, NC—Cat’s Cradle
September 11—Richmond, VA—The Broadberry
September 12—Washington, D.C.—9:30 Club
September 14—Pittsburgh, PA—Thunderbird Music Hall
September 16—Toronto, ON—Phoenix Theatre
September 17—Montreal, QC—Beanfield Theatre
September 18—Boston, MA—Royale
September 20—New York, NY—Webster Hall
September 22— Philadelphia, PA—The Foundry
September 24—Clarkston, MI—Pine Knob Music Center†
September 25—Grand Rapids, MI—Acrisure Amphitheatre†
September 26—Green Bay, WI—Resch Center†
October 6— Charlotte, NC—Amos’ Southend
October 7—Charleston, SC—Music Farm
October 9—Sanford, FL—Tuffy’s Music Box
October 10—St. Petersburg, FL—Jannus Live
October 12—Jackson, MS—Duling Hall
October 13—Fayetteville, AR—George’s Majestic Lounge
October 14—St. Louis, MO—Delmar Hall
October 16—Rosemont, IL—Joe’s Live
October 17—Cleveland, OH—Roxy at Mahall’s
October 18—Indianapolis, IN—Hi-Fi Annex
October 20—Louisville, KY—Mercury Ballroom
October 22—Knoxville, TN—Bijou Theatre
October 25—Columbus, OH—King of Clubs
*supporting Marcus King
†supporting Brooks & Dunn
Bellah Mae Looks On The Bright Side On New EP ‘Keep It Peachy’ Due In May
/by Lorie HollabaughSony Music Nashville artist Bellah Mae will release her new EP, Keep It Peachy, on May 29. She dropped a new song from the upcoming EP, “Salt and Sugar,” today.
Built around a clever metaphor, the song describes how someone can actually be quite different from how you initially see them. “‘Salt & Sugar’ is about that realization of someone not being who you thought they were and how you feel crazy for not seeing their true colors before,” says Mae. “I wanted to write it from an angle of being both hard hitting and in the feels while also being clever and witty in the title and concept.”
The new six-song EP embodies Mae’s desire to have a sunny outlook on life no matter the circumstances. Produced by Brett Truitt, JANEVA and Steven Solomon, the project offers razor-sharp songwriting on emotional topics running the gamut from the excitement of young love, having high standards, sitting with heartbreak, finding strength in vulnerability, and everything in between. Keep It Peachy contrasts Mae’s sunny disposition with a daring, often gritty realism, as she develops into a voice of young female confidence.
The 24-year-old singer-songwriter was schooled on everything from Dolly Parton and Hannah Montana to Black Sabbath and Avril Lavigne growing up in the English West Midlands. Her grandfather was a respected keys player in the British hard-rock revolution, and she learned to play guitar at 8 just so she could start writing her own songs. Mae spent over 10 years training as a classical soprano, and by 18 had made early inroads in Nashville. Her Music City lessons helped hone a series of UK pop releases including 2022’s “Boyfriend Of The Year,” 2023’s “Drama King” and “On Purpose (For My Future Daughter),” and 2025’s “Bad Day to Be My Ex” – each pairing her love of lyricism with a dry, sardonic wit. Mae now boasts over 100 million career streams and a thriving social presence.
Mae has been on the road with Ashley Kutcher and will be making her CMA Fest debut on June 6 with a performance on the Chevy Vibes Stage.
Keep It Peachy Track List:
1. “Fast Lane” – Bellah Mae, Rory Adams, Janeva Burrill
2. “Kiss My Levi’s” – Bellah Mae, Brett Truitt, Brigetta Truitt
3. “Salt and Sugar” -Bellah, Janeva and Niamh Murphy
4. “Love Me Less” – Bellah Mae, Brett Truitt, Brigetta Truitt
5. “Boring Me Baby” -Bellah, Steven Solomon and Gabriella Score
6. “Home Safe” -Bellah Mae, Brett Truitt, Brigetta Truitt
17th Annual ‘Darius And Friends’ St. Jude Benefit Set For June 1
/by Lorie HollabaughDarius Rucker performs at 2025 “Darius and Friends.” Photo: Catherine Powell for Ryman Auditorium
Darius Rucker is hosting his 17th annual “Darius and Friends” concert benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the Ryman Auditorium on June 1.
The unofficial kickoff to CMA Fest week in downtown Nashville has raised more than $5.1 million to date, and will feature a surprise all-star roster of friends, which has become tradition at the annual celebration. Friends performing with Rucker in past years have included Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Jelly Roll, Charles Kelley of Lady A, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney, Brad Paisley and Morgan Wallen, among many others.
Rucker has always prioritized philanthropic work throughout his career and made a commitment to support St. Jude nearly two decades ago after taking an inspiring tour of the hospital in 2008 and learning how it is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Tickets to the 17th annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert start at $69 with VIP package options up to $249 via AXS.com. Pre-sale access begins April 29, with tickets on sale to the public this Friday (May 1).