Trannie Anderson has released her full first songwriter project, Heart Like A Songwriter.

“I’ve always wanted to release a songwriter record at some point and right now feels like the right time,” she shares. “It’s been 10 years since I moved to Nashville and recording my own versions of hits I’ve helped pen, a few special uncut songs, and vulnerable spoken word poems that tell my story on a deeper level is my way of celebrating the journey I’ve been blessed to be on. I’m hoping that sharing my heart and writing voice through this debut record will inspire more songwriters to tell their stories, introduce me to the creatives and artists in town that might not know me well, and find the right homes for uncut songs that I love. I couldn’t be more proud to have a heart like a songwriter.”

The project is comprised of original versions of her most well known cuts and poems explaining the inspiration behind the tracks. Additionally, the project includes three uncut tracks available for outside artist consideration, “Girl With Her Guard Up,” “No Good Reason” and “Bigger Picture.”

A Waco, Texas native, Anderson moved to Nashville in 2015 after graduating from Baylor University. She has amassed over 100 major-label cuts with credits with Lainey Wilson Reba McEntire, Morgan Wallen, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Nate Smith, George Birge, Pentatonix, Dylan Scott, Priscilla Block, Zach Williams and many more. She has earned 22 cuts with Wilson, including the No. 1 tracks “Heart Like a Truck,” “Wildflowers and Wild Horses,” and “Somewhere Over Laredo,” which is nominated for Best Country Song at the upcoming Grammy Awards.

Anderson is set to make her Grand Ole Opry debut tomorrow (Jan. 17).

Heart Like A Songwriter Track List:
1. Heart Like A Truck – Intro
2. Heart Like A Truck – Songwriter Version (Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson)
3. Wildflowers – Intro
4. Wildflowers and Wild Horses – Songwriter Version (Lainey Wilson, Paul Sikes, Trannie Anderson)
5. Girl With Her Guard Up – Intro
6. Girl With Her Guard Up (Lori McKenna, Gordie Sampson, Trannie Anderson)
7. No Good Reason (Jacob Rice, Jordan Walker, Trannie Anderson)
8. It Won’t Be Long – Intro
9. It Won’t Be Long – Songwriter Version (Chase McGill, George Birge, Joe Fox, Trannie Anderson)
10. Bigger Picture – Demo (Andy Albert, Devin Dawson, Paul Sikes, Trannie Anderson)

Dolly Parton has just released a powerful new rendition of her classic hit, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” featuring Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah and Reba McEntire on the 50th anniversary of writing the song.

The single and music video, which also features David Foster on piano and The Christ Church Choir on backing vocals, is out now, just days before her milestone 80th birthday on Jan. 19. Released in celebration of her birthday, the recording reimagines the song with a message of spreading love and hope. Originally written in 1976 during a period of personal transition and renewed optimism, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” has long stood as one of Parton’s most inspirational works. Now, five decades later, Dolly revisits the song for a new generation with a powerhouse lineup of female voices.

“I wrote ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ during a season when I was searching for hope, and fifty years later that message still feels just as true,” says Dolly. “As I celebrate my 80th birthday, this new version is my way of using what I’ve been blessed with to shine a little light forward, especially by sharing it with some truly incredible women.”

In keeping with the spirit of giving that has defined her career, net proceeds from the song and its accompanying video will benefit the pediatric cancer research program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, a longtime partner and cause close to Parton’s heart.

Pictured (L-R): Simone Chretien (Agent, The Neal Agency), Kiley Donohoe (CEO / Manager, Greenhouse Management), Cody Lohden, Adi Sharma (Co-Head, The Neal Agency) and Ryan Beuschel (GM, The Neal Agency). Photo: Courtesy of The Neal Agency

DeVille Records singer-songwriter Cody Lohden has signed with The Neal Agency for booking.

“Cody is an incredibly gifted songwriter and artist with a dedication to his craft that is infectious,” says The Neal Agency agent Simone Chretien. “We can’t wait for the world to hear what he’s poured his heart into over the past year. We are excited to partner with him to take his artistry on the road and to connect with country music fans worldwide.”

Lohden is also releasing a new song “Buckle Up” today. Penned with Rian Ball, Matt Mulhare and Roger Springer, “Buckle Up” explores love and spontaneity and follows his previously-released debut single, “Tail Light, Porch Light, Miller Lite.”

“I’m excited to finally get things moving,” shares Lohden. “I’ve been working day and night writing songs and really honing in on my craft and sound. Stoked for the world to hear everything we’ve been cooking up, starting with ‘Buckle Up’!”

Beginning in late February Lohden will support Ernest on his “Live From The South Tour.”

Pictured (L-R): Rob Femia (MCA), Freddy Wexler, Madden Metcalf, Mike Harris (MCA), Katie McCartney (MCA). Photo: Chris Hollo

Madden Metcalf has inked with MCA and Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer Freddy Wexler.

“Madden has all the things you can’t teach—great instincts, authenticity, charisma, star power,” shares Wexler. “He’s also someone with an infectious sense of gratitude. It makes you want to move a mountain for him. I’m incredibly excited to work with MCA as we help Madden build something real and lasting.”

“Madden has a clear voice and uncommon level of conviction for someone so early in his career,” says Mike Harris, President & CEO of MCA. “His music reflects real life, real place, and real identity — and that’s the foundation of what makes an artist stand out. We’re proud to be his label home and help amplify what he’s building.”

First discovered by his manager Olivia Wexler, who helped guide his development alongside Wexler Records, he is slated to release an EP later this year.

In celebration of the signing, Metcalf released a new single, “Like My Hometown,” inspired by upbringing in Panacea, Florida.

“I still can’t believe that a Gulf Coast kid from a small fishing town of about a thousand people gets an opportunity like this,” Metcalf adds. “I’m just incredibly thankful to God, to my family, to my team, and to everyone who’s been with me from the start.”

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, ASCAP’s Duane Hobson, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, Riser House’s Brandon Perdue, Concord’s Matt Turner, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s JoJamie Hahr. (Front Row, L-R): Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Andy Albert (ASCAP). Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Lainey Wilson brought together more than 300 industry members, friends and family on Tuesday (Jan. 13) to celebrate her ninth No. 1 single, “Somewhere Over Laredo.” Hosted by ASCAP and BMI, the event honored the artists, songwriters, publishers and industry team members who contributed to the single’s success.

Written by Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson and Andy Albert, and produced by Jay Joyce, the track was inspired by Judy Garland’s “Over The Rainbow,” written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. The track is nominated for “Best Country Song” and “Best Country Solo Performance” at the upcoming 68th annual GRAMMY Awards.

Emceed by BMI’s Leslie Roberts, BMI’s Clay Bradley, ASCAP’s Duane Hobson, Riser House’s Brandon Perdue, Concord’s Matt Turner, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston and BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s JoJamie Hahr each took the microphone to honor the teams behind the song.

Photo: Larry McCormack for BMI

Many spoke of the close creative relationship of “The Heart Wranglers,” which consists of Laniey Wilson, Dallas Wilson and Anderson.

“What you guys are together is so special because you have grown together, you have each other’s backs, you speak life into one another, and your relationship has impacted beyond the three of you as a unit,” Gaston shared.

“There is not a harder working, more appreciative guy in town than Andy Albert. That makes my job easier, and it makes me want to do better for you,” Turner shared, noting that this song marks Albert’s third No. 1 of 2025.

Studio Bank sponsored the event, with Kari Barnhart presenting a special donation in honor of the writers to Wilson’s Heart Like A Truck Fund.

Dallas Wilson shared his gratitude for each co-writer, recounting how each one was integral to his early career, taking writes before he signed a publishing deal.

“Lainey Wilson is the biggest blessing to a songwriter,” he shared. “She props us up, she encourages us, she loves on us in every way. She doesn’t have the capacity but she does it anyway, and its the greatest blessing to be part of this.”

Albert shared that the song began when he and Anderson went to Florida’s Harry Potter World during a trip for Orlando Nashville Nights.

“I can’t believe the seed of a song idea we kicked around waiting in the lines has grown into this, but I guess that’s the magic of Nashville,” he quipped.

Anderson shared that the song marks a full-circle moment for her as the timing of the song has aligned with her pregnancy with her “rainbow baby.”

Lainey Wilson took the microphone to wrap up the celebration, sharing, “As a songwriter, its important for me to be able to step into a pair of shoes I’ve worn before and tell a story from that perspective. … I’m so thankful that I get to write songs with my best buddies, people who know me better than I know myself.”