Mark Your Calendar—May 2026

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Single/Track Releases & Radio Add Dates:

Luke Combs. Photo: Robby Klein

May 1
Diplo & Adrien Nunez/Two Steppin’/Atlantic Outpost
Cody Johnson/Hello Lonesome/CoJo Music/Warner Records Nashville
Lee Brice/Truck Bed Mixtape/Curb Records
Gavin Adcock/Wannabe/Thrivin’ Here Records/Warner Records Nashville
Wyatt Flores/Driving All Night/MCA/Island Records
Bayker Blankenship/Keep Calm/Santa Anna Nashville
Matt Maher/Gonna Be Alright
Gretchen Wilson/Redneck Shit
Drew Baldridge/Love Needs You/BBR Music Group/BMG
Alana Springsteen/i loved you then/Santa Anna Nashville
Thompson Square/Lay It On Me
Jordan St. Cyr/Wild Love
Tyce Delk/Mind If I Smoke
Kyle Clark/Checking Out
Danny Worsnop/I Tried To Write A Sad Song
Robyn Ottolini/If Hell Were a Bar
Matthew Goodnough (feat. Mac Hankins & The Moonlighters)/Bad Terms/Santa Anna Nashville
Abbie Callahan/Drag, Queen
Cody Oliphant/When I Go/Santa Anna Nashville
Parker Ryan/Loaded Gun
Caryn Dixon/Accidental Cowgirl
Jonathan Lee/Saturday Night/Pacific Standard Entertainment Group
Frank Ray/Third Row George Strait/BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records
Julianna Rankin/XYZ71s/Big Loud Texas
Kyle Jenkins/It’ll Be Alright/Santa Anna Nashville
Hadlie Jo/God Made Mama
Diamond Dixie/Made A Liar
Carrie Brockwell/That’s Real
American Blonde/Mississippi Moonshine
Karly C/The Grass Looks Greener
Ashton Butler/One More Won’t Hurt
Neah McMeen/Little Scrap of Love
Camille Harrison/I Miss You, Mother
Cooper Riley/Outta Time

May 4
Luke Combs/Be By You/Columbia Nashville
Kacey Musgraves/Loneliest Girl/Lost Highway Records
Jason Charles Miller/Digging in the Dust (Water On Rust Remix)/One Opportunity Records
Caroline Jones/you’re it for me, honey/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
Soul Circus Cowboys/Something Stronger

May 8
Kenny Chesney/Carry On
Koe Wetzel/Hurts Like You/Columbia Records
Greylan James/Small Town/Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
Chanel West Coast/Down To The Filter

May 11
Trey Pendley/Family Man/Leo33
Alex Miller/Just A Mom
Adam Chaffins/King Of Coal Dust County
Johnathon Heilbroun/Goodbye Looks Like/Johnathon Heilbroun Music

May 12
ALeeN ROSE (feat. Willie Nelson)/They’re There/Luna Wolf Records

May 15
Charles Wesley Godwin (feat. Luke Combs)/Better That Way/Big Loud
Love and Theft/Farm Truck
Angie K/Contigo
Wishgarden/Holy Water

May 18
Rodney Atkins/The Years Are Short/Curb Records
Jim Stanard (feat. Crystal Gayle)/Waking Up Dead/Manatee Records
Karly C/The Grass Looks Greener/Quirky Cowgirl

May 22
Andrew Mitch/muscle memory
Smokin’ Otis/Trail Ride

May 25
Skip Ewing/Me & God And A Fishing Pole
Robert Weston/Life’s A Beach/Weston Records

May 29
Levi Foster/Bloodhound
Bryan Ruby/Bonfire
Paige King Johnson/It Ain’t Me
Lauren Rismiller/Heart Broke In A Bar

 

Album/EP Releases:

May 1
Kacey Musgraves/Middle Of Nowhere/Lost Highway
Lainey Wilson/Lainey Wilson (Amazon Music presents: Live from Stagecoach 2026)/BBR Music Group/BMG
ERNEST/Deep Blue/Big Loud Records
Tauren Wells/Breathe On It
Austin Snell/Colors/River House Artists/Warner Records Nashville
Southall/Kinfolk
Emily Nenni/Movin’ Shoes/New West Records
Rita Wilson/Sound of a Woman
Ashley Anne/Generational Heartbreak
Alex Hall/Turn This Love Around/Yeehall Records/Blue Harbor Music
Jeff Bates/Hymns From the Church in the Wildwood/Tall Grass Records

May 8
Ashley McBryde/Wild/Warner Records Nashville
Chase Wright/Chasing Shadows
Amy Grant/The Me That Remains/Thirty Tigers
Josiah and the Bonnevilles/As Is/Rounder Records
Coleman Jennings/Lead You Home/Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records
Michaela Anne/These Are The Days/Georgia June Records

May 15
Braxton Keith/Real Damn Deal/Warner Records Nashville
49 Winchester/Change of Plans/Lucille Records/MCA
Ryan Bingham & The Texas Gentlemen/They Call Us The Lucky Ones/The Bingham Recording Co./Thirty Tigers
Cook Allender/Music Your Parents Hate/VibraHive Records
Sarah Harralson/Just The Beginning/Synapse Publishing & Entertainment, LLC

May 22
Julia Cole/Love You To Death
Kyle Clark/Better On A Boat
The Deslondes/Don’t Let It Die Vol. 1/New West Records
Steep Canyon Rangers/Next Act/Yep Roc Records
McCoy Moore/Sunshine State/Sony Music Nashville/Cervidae Records
Ian Harrison/Jealous/Sony Music Nashville/Free Flight Records
Ben Chapman/Feet On Fire/Soundly Music
Thomas Csorba/Tender Country/Turtlebox Records

May 29
Don Williams/EPILOGUE: THE CELLAR TAPES/Craft Recordings
Willie Nelson/Dream Chaser/Legacy Recordings
Rodney Atkins/True South/Curb Records
Kip Moore/Reason To Believe/Virgin Music Group
Alana Springsteen/I HOPE THIS HELPS/Santa Anna Nashville
Renée Fleming & Béla Fleck/The Fiddle and the Drum/Thirty Tigers
Bellah Mae/Keep It Peachy/Sony Music Nashville
Susto Stringband/Susto Stringband (Volume Two)/Missing Piece Records
Joshua Ray Walker/Ain’t Dead Yet/East Dallas Records/Thirty Tigers
Keyland/Knuckle Sandwich/One Riot
Carrie Brockwell/That’s Real
Frank Evans/Fit for a Dog

 

Industry Events:

May 17
61st Annual ACM Awards

 

Upcoming Nashville Concerts:

Chris Stapleton. Photo: David McClister

May 1
Ethel Cain/FirstBank Amphitheater
Bailey Zimmerman/Ascend Amphitheater
Ani DiFranco/Ryman Auditorium
Ashnikko/Marathon Music Works
Arm’s Length/Brooklyn Bowl
The Nude Party/The Basement East
Aaron Hibell/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Raven/Exit/In
Liz Cooper/The Blue Room
Multi Ultra/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 2
Florence + The Machine/Bridgestone Arena
Bailey Zimmerman/Ascend Amphitheater
Josh Ritter/Ryman Auditorium
Nettspend/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Flyte/The Basement East
Krooked Kings/Exit/In
Sluice/The Blue Room
Jesse Solomon/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 3
Maddox Batson/The Pinnacle
Tracy Lawrence/Ryman Auditorium
Strings & Heart/Exit/In
Vanessa Carlton/City Winery

May 4
Fender Presents: Tele Town/Ryman Auditorium
The Paper Kites/Brooklyn Bowl
Freddie Dredd/The Basement East

May 5
Disclosure Live/The Pinnacle
Courtney Barnett/Ryman Auditorium
Failure/The Basement East
Patrick Droney/Exit/In
David Broza/City Winery
Andrew Duhon/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 6
Bruno Mars/Nissan Stadium
David Lee Roth/Ryman Auditorium
Sepultura/Brooklyn Bowl
Bahamas/The Basement East

May 7
Sammy Virji/The Pinnacle
Satchvai Band/Ryman Auditorium
Breakfield/Exit/In
Black Marble/The Blue Room

May 8
Russell Dickerson/Ascend Amphitheater
Amy Grant/Ryman Auditorium
Sleeping With Sirens/Marathon Music Works
CHE: ENCORE/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Colby Acuff/The Basement East
VAMPA/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Sons Of Legion/Exit/In
CusCampbell/City Winery
Gia Margaret/The Blue Room
Babes In Canyon/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 9
David Byrne/Ascend Amphitheater
Benjamin Tod/Brooklyn Bowl
White Reaper x Drug Church/The Basement East
Sons Of Legion/Exit/In
Keiko Matsui/City Winery
Folk Bitch Trio/The Blue Room

May 10
Dethklok & Amon Amarth/The Pinnacle
Ari Lennox/Ryman Auditorium
Juvenile/Marathon Music Works
Alpha Wolf/Brooklyn Bowl
Dry Cleaning/The Basement East
Sun Kil Moon/City Winery
FLAKE/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 11
Unprocessed/The Basement East
Grant Knoche/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 12
Earth, Wind & Fire/FirstBank Amphitheater
Mac Demarco/Ryman Auditorium
Elmiene/Brooklyn Bowl
Cattle Decapitation/The Basement East
the Pharcyde/City Winery
Whitney/The Blue Room

May 13
Bilmuri/The Pinnacle
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band/Opry House
Herbie Hancock/Ryman Auditorium
Magnolia Park/The Basement East
49 Winchester/The Blue Room
Miles Minnick/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 14
Black Label Society/Ryman Auditorium
Pub Choir/Brooklyn Bowl
The Black Angels/The Basement East
Amelia Day/Exit/In
The Spooklights/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 15
Bush/FirstBank Amphitheater
Marilyn Manson/The Pinnacle
Drew & Ellie Holcomb/Ryman Auditorium
Behemoth/Brooklyn Bowl
TYNAN TIME/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Corrosion of Conformity/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Happy Landing/Exit/In
Grace Ives/The Blue Room
Sterling Ezla & Cole Barnhill/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 16
Treaty Oak Revival/Bridgestone Arena
Drew & Ellie Holcomb/Ryman Auditorium
Kings Kaleidoscope/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Bella White/The Basement East
Earth Tongue & Pink Fuzz/The Blue Room
Katelyn Tarver/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 17
Treaty Oak Revival/Ryman Auditorium
Little Image/The Basement East
’68/Cannery Hall (The Mil)

May 18
Paul Gilbert/City Winery

May 19
Godsmack/FirstBank Amphitheater
Electric Callboy/The Pinnacle
Tech N9ne X E-40/Marathon Music Works
Chet Faker/Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
Saving Abel/City Winery
Edge of Broken/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 20
Diljit Dosanjh/Bridgestone Arena
Ann Wilson/City Winery

May 21
The Black Crowes & Whiskey Myers/Bridgestone Arena
Alter Bridge/The Pinnacle
Jarrod Walker/The Basement East
Sonja Morgan/City Winery

May 22
Trace Adkins/Ryman Auditorium
Chrisette Michele/Brooklyn Bowl
Noah Gundersen/The Basement East
Culture Wars/Exit/In
ChRocktikal/Riverside Revival
Maggie Miles/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 23
Chris Stapleton/Nissan Stadium
Trace Adkins/Ryman Auditorium
Krewella/Marathon Music Works
Uncle Lucius/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Rickshaw/The Blue Room
hallpass/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 25
Alex Warren/Bridgestone Arena
Stella Standingbear/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 26
The Kid LAROI/Marathon Music Works
The Mountain Goats/Brooklyn Bowl
Vana/The Basement East
Alvin Garrett/City Winery
Arlo Parks/The Blue Room

May 27
Marcus King Band/Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Chicago/Opry House
Cold/The Basement East
MAJOR./City Winery

May 28
America/Ryman Auditorium

May 29
Cinderella’s Tom Keifer Band/Ryman Auditorium
Echo & The Bunnymen/Brooklyn Bowl
Genevieve Heyward/Exit/In
Caroline Carter/The Blue Room
Daydrnkrz/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

May 30
Joshua Slone/Marathon Music Works
Free Throw/Brooklyn Bowl
Fulton Lee/The Basement East
BARELY ALIVE/Cannery Hall (The Mil)
Tyler Boone/Exit/In
Ariella & Nicolaas/City Winery

May 31
Steve Earle/Ryman Auditorium
Peelingflesh/The Basement East
Fattmack/Exit/In
Andres/Cannery Hall (Row One Stage)

Riser House Adds Leighanna Martin As Manager, A&R + Publishing

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Leighanna Martin.

Riser House has added Leighanna Martin as Manager, A&R + Publishing.

In this role, Martin will work closely alongside Brandon Perdue, SVP of A&R + Publishing, supporting the label and publishing rosters, which include Mitchell Tenpenny and Jake Mitchell.

The Nashville native joins the company from Anthem Entertainment. She previously worked in merchandising for Richards and Southern.

“Within five minutes of talking to Leighanna, I could tell she was the right fit for our team,” shares Perdue. “She’s bold, has a sharp song sensibility, and she’s passionate about her writers. She also has a stellar reputation within our community and is already making an impact across our rosters. I look forward to watching her grow into a true superstar in this town.”

“I’m so excited to be working with the team at Riser House,” says Martin. “The opportunity to champion great songs, support talented writers, and help shape creative direction is exactly what I’m passionate about. I’m looking forward to contributing to a team that values both artistry and strategy, and to playing a role in bringing impactful music to a wider audience.”

Matt Maher Signs With Music Services

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Pictured (L-R): Rose Cook, Chief Operating Officer, Music Services; Matt Maher; and Lynn Lowe, President, Label & Publishing Administration, Music Services.

Dove award-winning artist Matt Maher has signed with the Music Services Division of SESAC Music Group for independent label services, including digital distribution through AudioSalad, and label administration through Music Services Inc.

To align with this new chapter, Maher has also released a new single, “Gonna Be Alright.”

“Matt Maher is an artist whose music has shaped worship culture around the world, and we’re honored to partner with him in the next stage of his career,” says Rose Cook, Chief Operating Officer, Music Services Division. “With our extensive suite of services across the division we’re able to support Matt’s independent spirit and artistry while ensuring his music reaches listeners globally.”

Over the past two decades, Maher has helped shape the sound of modern worship, writing songs that have become global anthems for churches and listeners. His catalog includes “Lord, I Need You,” “Because He Lives (Amen),” and “Alive & Breathing.”

Beyond the stage and studio, Maher is also an accomplished writer, storyteller, and respected thought leader.

Ella Langley Stays Atop The MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘Be Her’

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Ella Langley. Photo: Caylee Robillard

Ella Langley notches a second week atop the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with her track, “Be Her.”

Langley co-wrote the song with Jordan Schmidt, Smith Ahnquist and HARDY. It appears on her sophomore album Dandelion.

The album has scored the largest streaming week for an album by a woman in 2026, and the biggest streaming week for a country album by a woman in two years. It currently sits at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

“Be Her” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 6 Mediabase chart.

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

HAFFWAY Inks With Free Flight Records/Sony Music Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Range Media’s Cameron Lutz; Sony Music Nashville’s Ken Robold; HAFFWAY; SMN’s Nathan Thomas and Taylor Lindsey. Photo: Matthew Berinato

HAFFWAY, the artist project of songwriter, producer, and engineer Sam Westhoff, has signed to Free Flight Records/Sony Music Nashville.

In celebration, HAFFWAY has released a reimagined version of his 2023 release “East Coast.”

“I put the original ‘East Coast’ out when I had nearly no listeners and no followers,” shares HAFFWAY. “My manager, Cam, saw us play this tune in L.A. and was inspired by the audience’s reaction and brought up the idea up to revamp the original. I loved the idea. So, we redid the whole tune from ground up. New parts, same song.”

HAFFWAY first earned early momentum with his Prequel EP and the Lady Lou collection, his 2025 debut album Wither. He has toured alongside Dermot Kennedy, and recently wrapped his headline “WITHER TOUR.”

As a writer and producer, Westhoff has earned credits with Noah Kahan, Shaboozey, Dermot Kennedy, Matt Maeson, Buffalo Traffic Jam, The Bends, Bo Staloch, Josie Edwards and others.

Tucker Wetmore Wins ACM New Male Artist Of The Year

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Tucker Wetmore

Tucker Wetmore has been crowned ACM’s New Male Artist of the Year. This mark’s Wetmore’s first-ever ACM Award.

Wetmore was surprised with the news in London today (April 30) during his sold-out show at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. Thomas Rhett appeared on screen via video message to announce the win before Wetmore’s mom Sia presented him with the trophy on stage.

“I’m at a loss for words right now for the first time in a long time. I can’t do any of this without you guys,” Wetmore shared from the stage. “I can’t do any of this without that woman [mom] right there… Y’all made this possible. Every single person in this venue. And there’s countless more outside of this venue that I can’t sit here and name because I’d be here all night. Thank y’all so much and thank you ACMs for this amazing honor.”

Wetmore is currently amidst his “The Brunette World Tour,” selling out shows in New York, Boston, three consecutive nights in London and more, and he will also make his Red Rocks debut this summer.

The 61st ACM Awards will stream live Prime Video on May 17 at 7 p.m. CT from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Spotify Hosts Nashville Release Event For Kacey Musgraves’ ‘Middle Of Nowhere’

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Photo: Getty Images for Spotify

Last night (April 29), Spotify hosted an exclusive event with Kacey Musgraves to celebrate the release of her album Middle of Nowhere at the Nashville Palace.

Guests enjoyed line dancing, a mechanical bull, games of pool and a surprise performance from Musgraves, who previewed the album with the debut of “Hell On Me” and “Rhinestoned.”

The album, out tomorrow (May 1) via Lost Highway, marks the Texas native’s sixth studio project. The 13-track record was inspired by the sounds, stories, and sensibilities of her upbringing.

Musgraves will kick off her new “Middle of Nowhere Tour” in August.

Photo: Getty Images for Spotify

Photo: Getty Images for Spotify

Photo: Getty Images for Spotify

Photo: Getty Images for Spotify

Sam Barber Adds Dates To Upcoming ‘American Route Tour’

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Sam Barber. Photo: Scott Sanford

Sam Barber has added new dates to his extensive 2026 “The American Route Tour.”

Newly confirmed stops include Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre, San Diego’s The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, Grand Prairie’s Texas Trust CU Theatre, Phoenix’s Arizona Financial Theatre and The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

Tickets will be available for pre-sale May 6, with general on-sale following on May 8. The tour kicks off May 7 in Omaha, Nebraska and runs through Dec. 12 with stops from coast to coast.

The new shows continue a breakout year for Barber, who performed at Stagecoach this past weekend, and released his sophomore album, Broken View, earlier this month via Atlantic Outpost.

 

CRS360 Series Releases ‘The Music Test’ On Demand

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Country Radio Broadcasters has officially released “The Music Test” as part of its CRS360 series, now available for on-demand viewing.

Presented by NuVoodoo’s Leigh Jacobs, “The Music Test” serves as a follow-up to the organization’s Online Music Test (OMT) unveiled during CRS in March. This latest installment expands on those findings, offering deeper analysis, updated rankings, and strategic recommendations drawn from a national online music test conducted exclusively for CRS.

Jacobs is joined by CRS Research Co-Chairs Clay Hunnicutt and Justin Chase.

The original CRS 2026 research session featured a comprehensive nationwide study examining more than 400 songs spanning from the 1990s to today, tested among 600 country music fans ages 18 to 49.

YouTube video

 

Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan Announce Additional Stadium Headline Dates

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Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan. Photo: Matthew Paskert

Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan will embark on a run of co-headlining stadium dates set to kick off this August.

The “Double Down 2026 Tour” will make stops in Montana, California, Washington, DC, and Nevada. Gavin Adcock, Dasha, Chase Matthew, Jon Pardi, Dylan Scott and Lauren Watkins will serve as support across select dates. Dee Jay Silver and DJ Rock will join on all dates.

Both artists’ fan clubs can access ticket presales starting May 6. Tickets to the public go on sale May 8, and are available on both artists’ websites.

The announcement follows their first co-headline show last week at the University of Georgia.

“If our time in Georgia was a barometric measurement of what’s ahead, these shows with Jason will make it one of the best touring years of my life. And the fans will hopefully feel the same way,” says Bryan.

“Luke and I have each been at this, career-wise and as friends, for over twenty years, and have gotten to hit a lot of milestones along the way. We’ve gotten to share the stage plenty of times over the years, and playing UGA was just a preview of what’s coming for the rest of these shows,” adds Aldean.

“Double Down 2026 Tour” Dates:
August 1 – Missoula, MT – Washington-Grizzly Stadium + =+
August 16 – San Diego, CA – PETCO Park * +
August 20 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park = **
December 11 – Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium xx +
Openers include:
*Gavin Adcock
**Dasha
+Chase Matthew
xxJon Pardi
=Dylan Scott
=+Lauren Watkins