MusiCares Donates More Than $15 million To Los Angeles Fire Relief Efforts

One year after the wildfires in Los Angeles communities, MusiCares has directed more than $15 million toward fire relief efforts. This includes $7 million deployed in the immediate aftermath of the fires to address urgent needs, along with ongoing recovery support. In total, over 3,200 music professionals have been reached through direct financial assistance, health and wellness services and long-term recovery throughout the region.

“Recovery does not happen on a fixed schedule,” says Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares. “We continue to hear from people who have been in survival mode for nearly a year, rebuilding homes, juggling displacement, trying to keep working, and only now able to focus on their own health and stability. That delayed need is a very real part of disaster recovery.”

Additional information about MusiCares’ impact and details on available resources can be found here.

 

Tennessee Performing Arts Center Elevates Care de Graaf

Care de Graaf has been promoted to Director of Programming at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

In this role, she will oversee commercial programming strategy across Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s four venues with a primary focus on year-round Broadway touring productions and popular large scale live entertainment.

 

Tim Easton Signs With Truly Handmade Records

Tim Easton has signed with Truly Handmade Records to release his 14th studio album, fIREHORSE.

The album will be released physically on Easton’s own label, Campfire Propaganda and digitally via Guy Clark’s Truly Handmade Records on Feb. 20.

Production from multi-instrumentalist Kevin Nolan and featuring contributions from the rhythm section of Lainey Wilson’s touring band, the album explores a near-fatal rafting accident, personal reflection, roadside memories and more.

 

Jubilate Music Group Celebrates 10th Anniversary Year

Jubilate Music Group is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with three special anniversary initiatives.

“Joy in the Journey: The Jubilate Music Group Story” is an anniversary video that traces the vision, people and moments that have shaped the company from its founding to today. “Songs Everlasting: A Jubilate Anniversary Virtual Concert” will feature videotaped performances of bestsellers and classics from the Jubilate catalog. “Craft, Calling & Community: The Jubilate Writer’s Workshop” will be hosted by acclaimed composer/arranger/editor Lloyd Larson, featuring special guest editors and presenters to be announced. More information on all events can be found here.

“All of us at Jubilate Music Group are deeply grateful for this milestone,” shares Mark Cabaniss, Founder, President and CEO of Jubilate Music Group. “Our journey would not be possible – first and foremost – without the extraordinary talent and dedication of our writer contributors, past and present, and the trust and support of our customers. Just as importantly, it reflects the commitment of an exceptional team who works every day behind the scenes to serve composers, churches, educators, and musicians worldwide with care and excellence.”

CRS has revealed the second round of performers for Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley, including Rhett Akins, Jim Beavers, and The Warren Brothers. They will join previously announced performers Clint Black, Steve Wariner, and Paul Overstreet.

Akins started his professional career in the mid-90s by signing with Decca Records and releasing his debut album, A Thousand Memories, in 1995. The project contained four charted tracks, including his first No. 1, “That Ain’t My Truck.” He followed that with the release of Somebody New, scoring his second No. 1 “Don’t Get Me Started.” As a songwriter, Akins has amassed 36 No. 1 singles, with cuts by Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore, Chris Young, LOCASH and Brantley Gilbert, among others. A Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Akins has earned multiple BMI Songwriter of the Year honors, eight CMA Triple Play Awards, ACM Songwriter of the Decade, and NMPA Non-Performing Songwriter Icon.

Beavers moved to Nashville in 1991 to pursue a career on the business side of the industry. He served as Director of Marketing at Capitol Records, touring with Lee Ann Womack, and working as a college professor. In 2002, Beavers switched his focus to songwriting, building a catalog of cuts by Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, Hootie & the Blowfish, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley and Faith Hill. He is a multi CMA, ACM, BMI, and NSAI award winner. Beavers has notched nine No. 1 hits and served as CMA Chairman in 2022.

Brothers Brett and Brad Warren, The Warren Brothers, have written chart-toppers for Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley and more. They have garnered several Grammy nominations and widespread industry respect.

Hosted by Fitz of Country Top 40, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley will celebrate the craft of songwriting with stripped-down performances and storytelling. The program is sponsored by Country Top 40 with Fitz, Skyview Networks, and First Horizon Bank, with the bar sponsored by ASCAP.

Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley will take place on March 19 at 6:30 p.m, and is included with CRS 2026 registration.

Peachtree Entertainment has added Brian Lowe as Talent Buyer and Candice Baker as Director of Touring.

“Candice and Brian each bring a level of experience, judgment, and artist-first thinking that is critical as we continue to grow,” says Dustin Labbe, Senior Vice President of Booking at Peachtree Entertainment. “They’ve both built careers rooted in collaboration and long-term relationships, and that aligns directly with how we approach buying, touring, and developing talent at Peachtree. We’re excited to have them on the team and confident they’ll make an immediate impact.”

Baker joins Peachtree Entertainment after 11 years at Messina Touring Group, where she worked across all departments. During her time at the company, she was a part of Kenny Chesney’s touring team, as well as the head of touring operations for Old Dominion from 2020-2025. Baker is a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a degree in International Business.

Lowe began his 24-year career in marketing before working in various booking and talent buying roles working across marketing, ticketing, finance and production teams. He held his first role at House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, and has since held roles across South Carolina, Ohio and Texas. Lowe joins Peachtree Entertainment from Live Nation, where he worked in marketing and booking. Lowe has a degree in Communications with a minor in Journalism from Coastal Carolina University.

Meels has signed with Nashville-based Lost Highway Records.

Born Amelia Einhorn and raised in Mill Valley, California, Meels picked up the piano at age five and began songwriting soon after. After studying Recorded Music at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, she began recording original music, a sound she has dubbed “Critter Country.”

She is set to release her new EP, Across The Raccoon Strait, on Jan. 30. The seven-track project was written by Meels, and she produced them alongside Peter Groenwald and Mark Campbell. The EP features previously released tracks “The Wizard,” “Willow Song” and “Vultures.”

“Lost Highway has a legacy that means so much to me, both as a listener and a songwriter,” shares Meels. “I’m incredibly thankful to be working with such a dedicated team and to release music through the same label that once carried so many of my idols.”

“At the heart of her artistry, Meels paints a vivid picture with her music through a lens that simultaneously feels familiar yet uniquely her own,” adds Robert Knotts and Jake Gear, Executive Vice Presidents and Co-Heads of Lost Highway. “With her upcoming project, Across the Raccoon Strait, she invites the listener into a world she has created that feels lived in and at home, and we are excited to help build upon that world and her vision together. Championing unique and artistic voices is paramount to the foundation of Lost Highway and in that spirit, we are honored Meels has agreed to join the Lost Highway family. We cannot wait to bring her songs and artistic voice to the world!”

Following two headline shows, she will open for Margo Price in late February and early March. In April, Meels will join Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their “All The Good Times: The Farewell Tour.”