For KING + COUNTRY’s ‘A Drummer Boy Christmas’ Holiday Residency Returns To Opry House

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for KING + COUNTRY

for KING + COUNTRY’s holiday celebration, “A Drummer Boy Christmas,” is returning to the Grand Ole Opry Dec. 15-18.

The four-night residency will follow the release of the band’s brand-new Christmas album and film. “A Drummer Boy Christmas” has become one of the season’s treasured events, drawing families and fans together for an evening centered on the hope and wonder of Christmas. The show offers an immersive holiday experience combining breathtaking production, intimate storytelling and powerful performances, and celebrates the hope, joy and true meaning of Christmas through music that has become synonymous with the season.

Audiences can expect performances of beloved Christmas favorites including “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Little Drummer Boy,” alongside original holiday music and fan favorites from throughout the duo Joel and Luke Smallbone’s celebrated career. The evening will also feature exclusive moments inspired by the band’s new theatrical film, DRUMMER BOY, creating an even more immersive and memorable Christmas celebration.

“The most wonderful time of our year is always the one spent with you,” share Joel and Luke Smallbone. “To celebrate the miracle of all miracles, God coming to earth and offering redemption, and to experience that together with audiences across America makes this our favorite tour of the year. We can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with you again.”

Tickets will go on sale July 31 at 10 a.m.

SeatGeek Inks Multi-Year Agreement With CMA Fest As Primary Ticketing Partner

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SeatGeek has announced a multi-year partnership with CMA Fest, becoming the festival’s primary ticketing partner and further expanding its presence across Nashville’s live event scene.

The agreement deepens the technology platform’s roots in Music City, where the company already serves as the official ticketing partner for Nissan Stadium and the Tennessee Titans. With the addition of CMA Fest, SeatGeek will support one of the stadium’s biggest annual event weekends – a role that will carry over when the festival moves to the new Nissan Stadium in 2027.

Through the partnership country fans will have a single destination to compare ticket options, purchase with confidence and manage their tickets, all in a few taps with seamless mobile entry at the festival. Every ticket purchased through SeatGeek is verified and covered by the SeatGeek Buyer Guarantee, giving fans the assurance their tickets are authentic and their purchase is protected.

“Nashville is one of the great live event markets in the country, and we’ve already seen what a connected ticketing platform can do here with the Titans and Nissan Stadium,” says Russ D’Souza, Co-Founder and President of Supply at SeatGeek. “CMA Fest brings that same opportunity to one of the city’s biggest weekends, connecting the entire fan journey from discovery to the festival gates.”

CMA Fest ticket public on-sale goes live on SeatGeek on Aug. 14.

Tucker Wetmore Helps Fans Beat The Heat With New ‘Sunburn Mixtape’

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Tucker Wetmore is helping fans through the season’s hottest stretch with his new six-song Sunburn Mixtape, arriving July 31 via Back Blocks Music/MCA/Mercury Records.

Tailor-made for summer fun, the collection pairs three previously-released fan favorites with three brand new tracks. Songs includes his current single “Who Told You That,” “Sunburn” and “Proving Me Right” alongside fresh tracks “Crazy To Yourself,” “98%” and “YOURS.” Earlier this month, Wetmore earned the No. 1 most-added song at country radio with his latest single “Who Told You That,” landing 89 first-week stations and marking Wetmore’s largest add date of his career. The single follows the laid-back “Sunburn,” released in March, as well as his third consecutive No. 1 “Brunette.”

Wetmore will resume the second leg of his headline tour this summer and fall, and in September will join Brooks & Dunn on select dates with a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on September 12.

Sunburn Mixtape Track List:
1. “Who Told You That” (Jordan Schmidt, Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, Michael Tyler)
2. “Crazy To Yourself” (Jacob Hackworth, Jacob Durrett, Matt Jenkins, Michael Tyler)
3. “98%” (Tucker Wetmore, Rodney Clawson, Jacob Hackworth, Chris LaCorte)
4. “YOURS” (Tucker Wetmore, Chris LaCorte, Randy Montana, Sasha Sloan, Carver Partin)
5. “Sunburn” (Daniel Ross, Ryan Hurd, Jaxson Free)
6. “Proving Me Right” (Tucker Wetmore, Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Chris Tompkins)

Adam James Inks With Sony Music Publishing Nashville

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Jaxon Snipes, Anna Weisband, Taylor Ratkovich, Bella Messina, Synnovea Halsel and Rusty Gaston; (L-R, front row): Adam James and Aubrey Landon

Adam James has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

James has written songs for Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Nate Smith and more. Most recently, he co-wrote four songs on Cody Johnson’s CMA Album of the Year-winning Leather, including “Whiskey Bent” featuring Jelly Roll and “C’mon Cowgirl.”

He also co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s No. 1 hit “Knowing You,” which earned a Song of the Year nomination at the 2022 ACM Awards.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to be at Sony Music Publishing,” says James. “The energy I feel from the team when I walk through the door every day is truly inspiring. I’m sincerely fired up to work with all y’all. It also makes me super happy to know my songs will be hanging out with Roger Miller’s and Dennis Linde’s on a massive cloud storage database somewhere. Dreams do come true!”

“Adam is one of the most exceptional songwriters in this town,” adds Aubrey Landon, Senior Director, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “He is carrying the torch for country music and is the kind of writer that can make you laugh, cry and feel emotion in his writing. I’m incredibly grateful and excited to start this creative journey with him!”

Lakelin Lemmings Signs With The Kinkead Entertainment Agency

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Pictured (L-R): Greg Scott (President Head of Live Performance, Kinkead Agency); Remi Heitzman (Executive Assistant to Bob Kinkead and Administrator Manager); Bob Kinkead (Bob Kinkead Co-CEO); Tina Hill (Manager, QHMG/ BSB Management); QHMG / Quartz Hill Records artist Lakelin Lemmings; Julie Devereux (Co-CEO Head of Film/TV, Kinkead Agency); Ash Bowers (Executive Vice President, QHMG); Mark Oliverius (Agent, Kinkead Agency) and Mykal Duncan (Administrative Assistant, Kinkead Agency).

QHMG/Quartz Hill Records artist Lakelin Lemmings has inked with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency for exclusive global booking.

“We’re excited to welcome Lakelin Lemmings to The Kinkead Entertainment Agency’s boutique roster,” says Co-Founder and CEO of The Kinkead Entertainment Agency, Bob Kinkead. “I saw her perform in front of a jaded music industry audience mixed in with invited guests. Lakelin delivered at the highest level with the stage presence of a superstar; she has an incredible voice and a genuine passion for connecting with fans, making the audience want more. Lakelin has all the ingredients to build a long and successful career. We’re looking forward to helping expand her touring business across the country and around the world.”

Lakelin is preparing to release her self-titled 16-track debut album this Friday (July 24). The project highlights the West Tennessee native’s mix of modern country, honest storytelling and youthful perspective, led by her current radio single, “Get Around Boy.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Team Lakelin and help elevate her career to the top,” shares Greg Scott, President of The Kinkead Entertainment Agency.

Known for her energetic live shows and strong stage presence, Lakelin is quickly making a name for herself in Nashville. With authentic songwriting, a growing fan base, and undeniable charisma, she continues to emerge as one of country music’s rising stars.

“Finding the right partners has been incredibly important as we’ve built this next chapter of Lakelin’s career,” says QHMG Executive Vice President Ash Bowers. “Bob, Greg, and the entire Kinkead team understand not only who Lakelin is as an artist today, but where she is headed. Their passion for developing careers and creating meaningful touring opportunities makes them an ideal fit as we launch this debut album.”

“This is a dream partnership for me,” adds Lemmings. “I’ve always believed the best way to connect with people is through live music, and I’m so excited to work with everyone at Kinkead as we take these songs on the road. I can’t wait to meet fans in cities across the country and beyond.”

Johnny Cash’s Personal Archives Find Permanent Home At Belmont University

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Photo: Courtesy of Belmont University

A collection of Johnny Cash’s personal archive will be permanently housed at Belmont University, in a partnership among the Cash family, the John R. Cash Revocable Trust and Belmont.

The collection will anchor a new Johnny Cash Learning Center at the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business’s forthcoming Music Row building. The $8.6 million acquisition was made possible in part through the support of Scott and Sandi Borchetta, Mike and Linda Curb and the Harper House Music Foundation.

“We are thrilled that our father’s archive has found a home at Belmont University. An enormous body of his work, including unpublished writings, will now be available for scholars and students to more intimately connect with the foundational elements of his artistry for years to come,” says the Cash family.

The archives span Cash’s life and career. Belmont will undertake a digitization process to catalog and preserve this collection ahead of the Cash Learning Center’s opening. The effort will be led by Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel, who will serve as director of the Johnny Cash Learning Center, in partnership with Belmont University Special Collections.

“There is no parallel for what this means for our students and scholars,” shares Brittany Schaffer, Dean, Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. “Direct access to the personal papers and lyrics of one of the most important artists in American history is something most institutions can only dream of. The Johnny Cash Learning Center will be a place where his story is not just preserved but experienced.”

“As Trustee, it’s been an honor and pleasure to work with the family to find a home for this archive,” adds Catherine Sullivan, John R. Cash Revocable Trust. “As a lifelong resident of Nashville, Tennessee, I’m proud to know that generations of Belmont students will be able to study Johnny’s legacy.”

Colton Dawson Signs With WME

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Pictured (L-R): WME’s Ryan Hofstetter, Colton Dawson, TKO Artist Management’s Jordan Bernal and WME’s Barry Jeffrey. Photo: Courtesy of WME

Colton Dawson has signed with WME.

Dawson first garnered attention after an appearance opening for Clay Walker at his sold-out show at the Ryman Auditorium, where Dawson received two standing ovations performing with only his guitar. He has since opened for Lainey Wilson, Cole Swindell, Braxton Keith, Jake Worthington and Josh Turner. Drawing inspiration from Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley, Randy Travis and Vince Gill, Dawson recently signed with Warner Records Nashville and is managed by TKO Artist Management.

“Colton has a voice and presence that immediately grabs your attention,” says WME’s Barry Jeffrey. “There’s an authenticity to what he does that feels deeply rooted in country music while still connecting with a new generation of fans. We’re excited to be part of what’s ahead.”

“Signing with WME is a huge milestone for me,” adds Dawson. “I grew up loving country music and dreaming about playing these kinds of stages, so to now have a team that believes in what I’m building means the world. I’m ready to get out there and keep earning it every night.”

The Arizona native has released three new tracks over the past few months, “Might Be In It,” “It’s Gonna Rain” and “Piece of Heaven” and is slated to release more music soon.

Kierra Sheard, J Drew Sheard II, Kerry Douglas & More Honored At BMI’s 2026 Trailblazers Of Gospel Music Awards

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Pictured (L-R): Mike O’Neill, CEO of BMI, Catherine Brewton, VP of Creative, BMI Atlanta, Kierra Sheard, 2026 BMI Impact Award recipient, Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP of Creative, BMI Atlanta and Mike Steinberg, BMI, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI)

The 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, held yesterday (July 21) at BMI’s Nashville office, honored Kierra Sheard, J Drew Sheard II, Kerry Douglas and more for their contributions to Gospel music over the last year.

Kierra Sheard received the BMI Impact Award in recognition of her impact on the future of gospel music. Sheard was also honored as BMI’s Gospel Songwriter of the Year in a three-way tie with her brother J Drew Sheard II and Douglas.

BMI’s Gospel Song of the Year went to “Lead Me On,” and Publisher of the Year went to Capitol CMG Publishing. The most-performed Gospel songs of the previous year were also announced at the private ceremony hosted by BMI’s CEO, Mike O’Neill; EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.

“God has a way to reward faithfulness before He rewards popularity… and this is a reminder that if you keep saying yes, He knows exactly where to find you,” Kierra Sheard shared during her speech. “I want to thank you for pushing gospel music forward. You make this industry worth staying in. What matters is what you represent, that someone still believes in a song that is worth protecting and paying for.”

Kierra Sheard. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI

Pictured (L-R): Michael O’Neill, CEO of BMI, Kierra Sheard, 2026 BMI Impact Award and Gospel Songwriter of the Year recipient, Catherine Brewton, VP of Creative, BMI Atlanta, Wardell Malloy, Assistant VP of Creative, BMI Atlanta, J. Drew Sheard II, Gospel Songwriter of the Year recipient and Michael Steinberg, BMI, EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI

Keyla Richardson. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI

Thomas Rhett To Play Two Caesars Palace Shows In December

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Thomas Rhett. Photo: Josh Aikin

Thomas Rhett has revealed he’ll play two shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on Dec. 10 and Dec. 12.

Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, as well as Live Nation All Access customers will have access to a presale beginning today (July 22), with all presales ending July 23. General tickets will go on sale this Friday (July 24).

In addition to his current headlining “The Soundtrack To Life Tour,” Rhett will continue to join Morgan Wallen for more “Still The Problem Tour” stadium dates and will make his return to the U.K., appearing with Luke Combs for a three-night run at Wembley Stadium.

Jenny Tolman Celebrates Her Roots On New Album ‘Music City Mutt,’ Due In August

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Singer-songwriter Jenny Tolman is set to release her third studio album, Music City Mutt, on Aug. 28.

Inspired by her own story as a Nashville native with roots stretching from Boston to California, Music City Mutt explores identity, family, motherhood, and the people and places that shape who we become. The album blends heartfelt storytelling with colorful characters and Tolman’s signature sharp wit, and brings together several fan-favorite releases that have already showcased the album’s depth and personality.

“Music City Mutt is my most personal album yet,” shares Tolman. “I started calling myself the ‘Music City Mutt’ because I’m a Nashville native with parents from two completely different worlds. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that’s really what Nashville is – a city full of people who came here from somewhere else, all chasing the same dream. This album is about finding home, embracing every part of your story, and celebrating the beautiful patchwork that makes us who we are.

“It’s also my first album since becoming a mom, so that naturally found its way into these songs,” she continues. “Getting to include my three-year-old son, Bear, on the record made this project even more special…he might just be the youngest drummer ever credited on an album. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

The project features the rowdy anthem “Honky Tonk Songs” featuring Gretchen Wilson, a boot-stomping celebration of country’s roots born from the pair’s friendship developed during The Road. It also includes the heartfelt “Baby Steps,” a poignant reflection on life’s journey from heartbreak to motherhood, alongside the witty, unapologetic, sharp-tongued “Show Pony,” packed with Tolman’s signature storytelling and humor.

To celebrate the new album, Tolman will play a special show at City Winery Nashville on Aug. 24, with tickets going on sale this Friday (July 24) here.

Music City Mutt Track List:
1. “Live From Jennyville Studios” (Dave Brainard/ Jenny Tolman)
2. “Music City Mutt” (Dave Brainard/ Jenny Tolman/ Aaron Raitierre)
3. “Make Up My Mind” (Jenny Tolman)
4. “Show Pony” (Dave Brainard/ Jenny Tolman/ Matt Willis)
5. “Baby Steps” (Dan Harrison, Emily Kroll, Jenny Tolman)
6. “Sweet Love” (Jenny Tolman)
7. “Retail Therapy” (Dave Brainard/ Jenny Tolman/ Aaron Raitierre)
8. “Honky Tonk Songs” (feat. Gretchen Wilson) (Dave Brainard/ Jeff Silbar/ Jenny Tolman)
9. “His Hands” (Dave Brainard/ Jenny Tolman/ Matt Willis)
10. “Two Ring Circus” (Dave Brainard/ Dan Harrison/ Jenny Tolman)
11. “My California Girl” (Dave Brainard/Jenny Tolman/ Bill Whyte)
12. “Troubleshooter” (Dave Brainard/ Jeff Silbar/ Jenny Tolman)
13. “Big Mama” (feat. Brandon Ratcliff & Suzanne Cox) (Morgan Lee Powers/ Jenny Tolman)
14. “Showbiz Baby” (ft. Bear Brainard) (Bear Brainard/ Dave Brainard/ Jenny Tolman)
15. “Maybe Next Month” (Jenny Tolman)