Jim McBride
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Jim McBride died Tuesday morning (Jan. 6) at age 78.
McBride was particularly noted for his collaborations with country superstar Alan Jackson. His songs were also recorded by such Country Music Hall of Famers as Conway Twitty, George Jones, Patty Loveless, Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, The Browns, Bill Anderson, Reba McEntire, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, Charlie Louvin, John Anderson, Toby Keith and Johnny Cash.
He has written or co-written 10 top-10 hits and 18 top-40 singles. His classics include “Bet Your Heart on Me,” “A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn,” “Chattahoochie,” “Rose in Paradise” and “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow.”
The songwriter was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. His mother was an avid country-music radio listener, so the household was often filled with music. McBride began writing songs at age 18 and started playing guitar at age 21. He worked for the Post Office for 14 years before his music career ignited.
Jim McBride started traveling to Music Row with his songs in the early 1970s. Hee Haw TV stars The Hagers recorded several of his tunes around 1972. None became hits, but some were performed on the nationally-seen Hee Haw telecasts.
His first song to hit the country charts was 1979’s “We Let Love Fade Away,” which was a minor success for Leon Everette. “I’m Gettin’ Into Your Love” charted for Ruby Falls six months later. In 1980, Conway Twitty recorded “A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn,” which ascended to No. 3 in early 1981.
Encouraged by co-writer Roger Murrah, Jim McBride moved from Huntsville to Nashville. Everette returned to the songwriter’s catalog for 1981’s “If I Keep on Going Crazy,” which rose to No. 11. McBride rounded out 1981 with his first No. 1 country hit, “Bet Your Heart on Me” sung by Johnny Lee.
In 1983, Alabama included McBride’s “Dixie Boy” on its LP The Closer You Get. The collection sold four million copies and was named the CMA Album of the Year.
In 1984, Keith Whitley recorded “Living Like There’s No Tomorrow,” which John Conlee issued as a charting single three years later. Also in 1984, Louise Mandrell charted with “This Bed’s Not Big Enough.” In 1985, Keith Stegall scored a top-10 hit with their cowritten “California.” The following year, Crystal Gayle recorded “Do I Have to Say Goodbye.”
The songwriter had a banner year in 1987. In addition to the John Conlee single of “Living Like There’s No Tomorrow,” McBride’s co-written “Rose in Paradise” became a No. 1 hit for Waylon Jennings. Mandrell revived Gayle’s “Do I Have to Say Goodbye” and scored a top-30 hit with it. McBride and Guy Clark co-wrote “Heavy Metal (Don’t Mean Rock and Roll to Me),” which Johnny Cash recorded in 1987. George Jones issued a single of “I’m a Survivor” the following year.
As successful as the 1980s were to Jim McBride, they were merely a prelude to the outstanding country hits he created in the 1990s. He and a then-unknown Alan Jackson had become songwriting partners in 1988. In the following decade, the singer had smash hits with their collaborations “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” (1990), “Someday” (1991), “Chattahoochie” (1993), “(Who Says) You Can’t Have it All” (1994), and “A House With No Curtains” (1998). “Chattahoochie” was the CMA’s Song and Single of the Year, ASCAP’s Country Song of the Year, Billboard’s Most Played Country Single of the Year and the ACM’S Single of the Year. The team also co-wrote several tunes for Jackson’s multi-million-selling albums.
McBride’s other successes of the decade came via Aaron Tippin’s version of “I Was Born with a Broken Heart” (1992), Patty Loveless’s “Love Builds Bridges (Pride Builds Walls)” (1993), Diamond Rio’s “Sawmill Road” (1994) and Toby Keith’s “Night Before Christmas” (1995). This run was capped with Wade Hayes singing “What I Meant to Say” as a top-5 smash in 1996. The vocalist returned to McBride’s pen for 1998’s hit “How Do You Sleep at Night.”
After the turn of the century, Jim McBride’s country songwriting career continued to thrive. In 2001, Tammy Cochran had a top-10 smash with “Angels in Waiting.” In 2006, Mark Chesnutt hit the charts with “Hard Secret to Keep.” Beginning in 2007, McBride co-wrote songs with Luke Bryan that appeared on the million-selling singer’s albums. “Rose in Paradise” was revived by Chris Young & Willie Nelson (2009), Kris Kristofferson & Patty Griffin (2011) and The Lonesome River Band (2016). Charley Pride revived “This Bed Ain’t Big Enough” in 2011.
Others who have placed Jim McBride’s songs on the charts include Johnny Rodriguez, Gary Wolf, David Rogers, Lou Hobbs and Darlene Austin. His works have also been recorded by Trace Adkins, Collin Raye, Shelly West, Mark Wills, Travis Tritt, Elizabeth Cook, Pam Tillis, Del Reeves, Lorrie Morgan, Ed Bruce, The Whites, Lacy J. Dalton, Johnny Paycheck, David Ball, Vern Gosdin, Lonestar, Mickey Gilley, Mel McDaniel, Moe Bandy, Billie Jo Spears and Gene Watson, among many others.
Jim McBride was a kind, genial personality who readily collaborated with hitless hopefuls and aspiring tunesmiths as well as top recording artists. In recent years, he served as the president of the board of the Nashville Songwriters Association.
He was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame honored him that same year.
Services will be held on Feb. 19 from 5-8 p.m. at Mars Music Hall located in the Von Braun Center (700 Monroe Street NW, Huntsville, AL 35801). The event is open to the public.
Syntax Creative Adds Four New Record Labels To Roster
/by Lauryn SinkSyntax Creative has added Outside Voices Entertainment, Sunday Worship Records, Apex Global Music Group and Arena Creative Services to its distribution roster.
“These are people who already understand how this works,” says Timothy J. Trudeau, CEO of Syntax Creative. “They’ve put in the time, learned how to pivot and built something real. That kind of experience changes the conversation from day one.”
Outside Voices Entertainment, led by Daniel Martin and Stefani Rose Martin, joins Syntax with an established catalog that includes Martin and Rose Music, a children’s catalog with more than one million monthly listeners on Spotify and 100 million streams worldwide.
“Our focus has always been on helping artists make bold moves without putting themselves in a hole,” Martin shares. “Syntax has been willing to slow down, think strategically, and help us plan releases in a way that actually makes sense long term.”
Sunday Worship Records, founded by gospel musician Matt Fouch, centers on hymns and worship songs reinterpreted across a wide range of styles. The catalog is one of the most-streamed Christian instrumental collections.
“I started releasing instrumental worship music because I know we all need those quiet times in our life and this music is designed to enhance those moments. It helps people stay grounded, even when there aren’t words being sung,” Fouch says. “I wanted a distributor who would treat that musical philosophy with care and purpose. Somebody that gets it and believes in it. That’s what drew me to Syntax.”
Apex Global Music Group is led by songwriter and producer Shay Watson. Watson’s work has been featured in more than 75 television series and films across pop, jazz, ambient, country, and world music.
“Most of my career has lived behind the scenes in sync,” Watson adds. “The digital marketplace has challenges, but it also creates opportunity if you approach it intentionally. Syntax understands how catalogs like mine actually function over time, and that alignment mattered.”
Arena Creative Services is a newly formed label built from the career of Nashville-based engineer Warren David with an emphasis on artist development, release strategy, and operational support.
“I’ve spent years solving problems most listeners never hear about,” says David. “What stood out to me about Syntax was their integrity and how seriously they take execution. That made this an easy decision.”
Chris Stapleton Confirms 2026 ‘All-American Road Show’ Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Stapleton. Photo: David McClister.
Chris Stapleton has extended his “All-American Road Show” through the fall with over 20 newly-confirmed stops.
Added dates on the tour include Jacksonville, Charlotte, Portland, Atlanta, Kansas City, and more, with a Nashville Nissan Stadium show set for May 23 with special guests Lainey Wilson and Allen Stone and a Boston Fenway Park show with Zach Top.
Other special guests on select dates of the tour include Ashley McBryde, Carter Faith, Grace Potter, Maggie Rose, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Molly Tuttle, Nikki Lane and The Teskey Brothers. Tickets will go on sale Jan. 16, and Stapleton’s fan club will have early access to tickets with pre-sale Jan. 13-15. Details can be found at chrisstapleton.com/tour
Stapleton is heading into a busy 2026 with four nominations at the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Country Song (“A Song To Sing” with Miranda Lambert), Best Country Solo Performance (“Bad As I Used To Be”), and two nods in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category (“A Song To Sing” with Lambert and “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with George Strait). He recently released the video for his Grammy and CMA Award-winning song, “White Horse,” starring actor Josh Brolin.
Chris Stapleton Newly-Added 2026 Dates:
May 23—Nashville, TN—Nissan Stadium*
June 11—Jacksonville, FL—Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena†
June 13—Tampa, FL—Raymond James Stadium*
June 17—Burgettstown, PA—The Pavilion at Star Lake†
June 20—Charlotte, NC—Bank of America Stadium*
June 24—Hershey, PA—Hersheypark Stadium#
June 26—North Charleston, SC—North Charleston Coliseum#
July 8—Mountain View, CA—Shoreline Amphitheatre‡
July 10—Chula Vista, CA—North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre‡
July 17—Portland, OR—Providence Park#
July 22—Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena%
July 24—George, WA—The Gorge#
July 29—Shakopee, MN—Mystic Lake Amphitheater†
August 1—Cincinnati, OH—Paycor Stadium*
August 6—Toronto, ON—Rogers Stadium+
August 8—Detroit, MI—Ford Field*
August 14—Boston, MA—Fenway Park+
August 18—Virginia Beach, VA—Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach~
August 21—Atlanta, GA—Mercedes-Benz Stadium^
August 26—Wantagh, NY—Northwell at Jones Beach Theater**
August 28—Philadelphia, PA—Freedom Mortgage Pavilion**
October 2—Bristow, VA—Jiffy Lube Live††
October 7—Lincoln, NE—Pinnacle Bank Arena‡‡
October 9—Kansas City, MO—Morton Amphitheater‡‡
*with special guests Lainey Wilson and Allen Stone
†with special guest Allen Stone
‡with special guest Molly Tuttle
#with special guest Grace Potter
+with special guests Zach Top and Allen Stone
%with special guest The Teskey Brothers
~with special guest Maggie Rose
^with special guests Lainey Wilson and Ashley McBryde
**with special guest Carter Faith
††with special guest Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
‡‡with special guest Nikki Lane
Country Songwriting Great Jim McBride Passes
/by Robert K OermannJim McBride
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Jim McBride died Tuesday morning (Jan. 6) at age 78.
McBride was particularly noted for his collaborations with country superstar Alan Jackson. His songs were also recorded by such Country Music Hall of Famers as Conway Twitty, George Jones, Patty Loveless, Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, The Browns, Bill Anderson, Reba McEntire, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, Charlie Louvin, John Anderson, Toby Keith and Johnny Cash.
He has written or co-written 10 top-10 hits and 18 top-40 singles. His classics include “Bet Your Heart on Me,” “A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn,” “Chattahoochie,” “Rose in Paradise” and “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow.”
The songwriter was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. His mother was an avid country-music radio listener, so the household was often filled with music. McBride began writing songs at age 18 and started playing guitar at age 21. He worked for the Post Office for 14 years before his music career ignited.
Jim McBride started traveling to Music Row with his songs in the early 1970s. Hee Haw TV stars The Hagers recorded several of his tunes around 1972. None became hits, but some were performed on the nationally-seen Hee Haw telecasts.
His first song to hit the country charts was 1979’s “We Let Love Fade Away,” which was a minor success for Leon Everette. “I’m Gettin’ Into Your Love” charted for Ruby Falls six months later. In 1980, Conway Twitty recorded “A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn,” which ascended to No. 3 in early 1981.
Encouraged by co-writer Roger Murrah, Jim McBride moved from Huntsville to Nashville. Everette returned to the songwriter’s catalog for 1981’s “If I Keep on Going Crazy,” which rose to No. 11. McBride rounded out 1981 with his first No. 1 country hit, “Bet Your Heart on Me” sung by Johnny Lee.
In 1983, Alabama included McBride’s “Dixie Boy” on its LP The Closer You Get. The collection sold four million copies and was named the CMA Album of the Year.
In 1984, Keith Whitley recorded “Living Like There’s No Tomorrow,” which John Conlee issued as a charting single three years later. Also in 1984, Louise Mandrell charted with “This Bed’s Not Big Enough.” In 1985, Keith Stegall scored a top-10 hit with their cowritten “California.” The following year, Crystal Gayle recorded “Do I Have to Say Goodbye.”
The songwriter had a banner year in 1987. In addition to the John Conlee single of “Living Like There’s No Tomorrow,” McBride’s co-written “Rose in Paradise” became a No. 1 hit for Waylon Jennings. Mandrell revived Gayle’s “Do I Have to Say Goodbye” and scored a top-30 hit with it. McBride and Guy Clark co-wrote “Heavy Metal (Don’t Mean Rock and Roll to Me),” which Johnny Cash recorded in 1987. George Jones issued a single of “I’m a Survivor” the following year.
As successful as the 1980s were to Jim McBride, they were merely a prelude to the outstanding country hits he created in the 1990s. He and a then-unknown Alan Jackson had become songwriting partners in 1988. In the following decade, the singer had smash hits with their collaborations “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” (1990), “Someday” (1991), “Chattahoochie” (1993), “(Who Says) You Can’t Have it All” (1994), and “A House With No Curtains” (1998). “Chattahoochie” was the CMA’s Song and Single of the Year, ASCAP’s Country Song of the Year, Billboard’s Most Played Country Single of the Year and the ACM’S Single of the Year. The team also co-wrote several tunes for Jackson’s multi-million-selling albums.
McBride’s other successes of the decade came via Aaron Tippin’s version of “I Was Born with a Broken Heart” (1992), Patty Loveless’s “Love Builds Bridges (Pride Builds Walls)” (1993), Diamond Rio’s “Sawmill Road” (1994) and Toby Keith’s “Night Before Christmas” (1995). This run was capped with Wade Hayes singing “What I Meant to Say” as a top-5 smash in 1996. The vocalist returned to McBride’s pen for 1998’s hit “How Do You Sleep at Night.”
After the turn of the century, Jim McBride’s country songwriting career continued to thrive. In 2001, Tammy Cochran had a top-10 smash with “Angels in Waiting.” In 2006, Mark Chesnutt hit the charts with “Hard Secret to Keep.” Beginning in 2007, McBride co-wrote songs with Luke Bryan that appeared on the million-selling singer’s albums. “Rose in Paradise” was revived by Chris Young & Willie Nelson (2009), Kris Kristofferson & Patty Griffin (2011) and The Lonesome River Band (2016). Charley Pride revived “This Bed Ain’t Big Enough” in 2011.
Others who have placed Jim McBride’s songs on the charts include Johnny Rodriguez, Gary Wolf, David Rogers, Lou Hobbs and Darlene Austin. His works have also been recorded by Trace Adkins, Collin Raye, Shelly West, Mark Wills, Travis Tritt, Elizabeth Cook, Pam Tillis, Del Reeves, Lorrie Morgan, Ed Bruce, The Whites, Lacy J. Dalton, Johnny Paycheck, David Ball, Vern Gosdin, Lonestar, Mickey Gilley, Mel McDaniel, Moe Bandy, Billie Jo Spears and Gene Watson, among many others.
Jim McBride was a kind, genial personality who readily collaborated with hitless hopefuls and aspiring tunesmiths as well as top recording artists. In recent years, he served as the president of the board of the Nashville Songwriters Association.
He was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame honored him that same year.
Services will be held on Feb. 19 from 5-8 p.m. at Mars Music Hall located in the Von Braun Center (700 Monroe Street NW, Huntsville, AL 35801). The event is open to the public.
Pollstar Unveils Nominees For 37th Annual Awards
/by Lauryn SinkPollstar has unveiled the nominees for the 37th Annual Pollstar Awards, which are slated to take place April 15 in Los Angeles. The awards are designed to recognize the music industry’s most innovative and successful artists, tours, companies, venues, and executives. iHeartRadio personality Valentine will return as this year’s host.
“The Pollstar Awards represent one of the most important nights of the year for the live entertainment business,” says Ray Waddell, Chief Content Director, OVG Media and Conferences. “This year’s nominations reflect the extraordinary breadth of our industry — from global superstars to emerging headliners — and recognize the leaders, innovation, and diversity that defined an exciting and impactful year for live music.”
The nominees for the Country Tour of the Year are Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour,” Chris Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show,” Lainey Wilson’s “Whirlwind World Tour,” Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem Tour,” Post Malone’s “Post Malone Presents: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour,” Tyler Childers’ “On the Road Tour,” and Zach Bryan’s “Quittin’ Time Tour.”
Jelly Roll scored a nomination for Support/Special Guest of the Year for Post Malone’s tour, while Kenny Chesney made the ballot for Residency of the Year for his Sphere run. Megan Moroney and Zach Top were both nominated for New Headliner of the Year. Bourbon & Beyond and Two Step Inn were among the nominees for Music Festival of the Year.
Bridgestone Arena received a nod for Arena of the Year, while Nissan Stadium is nominated for Stadium of the Year. After a successful opening year, The Pinnacle is up for New Concert Venue of the Year. Bridgestone’s David Kells is also being recognized with a nomination for Venue Executive the Year.
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter Tour,” Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour,” Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s “Grand National Tour,” Lady Gaga’s “The Mayhem Ball,” Oasis’s “Oasis Live ’25 Tour,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet Tour,” and Tate McRae’s “Miss Possessive Tour” each earned a nomination for Pollstar Awards’ Major Tour of the Year.
AEG Presents’ Adam Weiser is up for Promoter of the Year, while a Rising Star Award nod went to WME’s Shannon Saunders. Essential Broadcast Media’s Ebie McFarland is nominated for Touring Publicist of the Year.
A full list of nominees can be found here. Voting opens to Pollstar subscribers on Jan. 16 and will end on Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. PT.
Luke Combs Slates ‘The Way I Am,’ Due In March
/by Lauryn SinkLuke Combs will release his new album, The Way I Am, March 20 via Sony Music Nashville. In celebration of the announcement, his new track “Sleepless in a Hotel Room,” written by Combs, Randy Montana and Jonathan Singleton, is available now.
“It’s been a long process getting this thing going, but I’m really proud of this record,” says Combs. “I’ve loved the song ‘Sleepless in a Hotel Room’ for a long time and it’s been awesome to see how excited the fans are for that one as well.”
The 22-track project was produced by Combs, Singleton and Chip Matthews and features previously releases “My Kinda Saturday Night,” “Days Like These,” “15 Minutes,” “Giving Her Away” and “Back in the Saddle.” The album explores the challenges of balancing family and career, self-doubt and self-belief and more, with a full track list to be announced soon.
Combs will kick off his “My Kinda Saturday Night Tour” this spring with sold-out stadium shows across the U.S., U.K. and Europe, including three nights at London’s Wembley Stadium, two nights at Edinburgh’s Scottish Gas Murrayfield, two nights at Ireland’s Slane Castle, two nights at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field and stops at South Bend’s Notre Dame Stadium, Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium, Columbus’ Ohio Stadium, Paris’ Accor Arena and Sweden’s Ullevi, among others.
Combs recently became the first country artist to headline both Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, in addition to topping the bills at Austin City Limits, Newport Folk Festival and New Orleans JazzFest. He became the first country artist with two songs earning a billion streams on Spotify, the first with four singles certified RIAA Diamond and recently extended his record for the most consecutive No. 1 singles at country radio as he earned his 20th chart-topper with “Back in the Saddle.”
Grand Ole Opry To Host 4th Annual ‘Opry Goes Dolly’ Birthday Show
/by Lauryn SinkThe Grand Ole Opry will celebrate Opry member Dolly Parton with its annual “Opry Goes Dolly” show on Jan. 17 at the Grand Ole Opry House. The fourth annual show will celebrate Parton’s 80th birthday, highlighting songs from her catalogue.
Among the lineup are Opry members Vince Gill, Lainey Wilson and Rhonda Vincent as well as songwriter Trannie Anderson making her Opry debut. Additional artists will be announced soon. Parton is not scheduled to appear in person.
Five dollars of each ticket to the show will be donated to Parton’s Imagination Library, a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five.
Tickets are available now.
Kameron Marlowe Slates Headline Tour For Spring
/by Lorie HollabaughKameron Marlowe. Photo: Riley “HULLI” Hulligan
Kameron Marlowe has announced he’ll return to the road on his new spring headline tour, “Kameron Marlowe Live On Tour,” beginning Feb. 19.
Marlowe will hit clubs and theaters nationwide on the new tour, with shows in Fort Worth, Grand Rapids, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Seattle, Sacramento and more through early May. Tickets for the tour go on sale this Friday, (Jan. 9), here with select pre-sales launching throughout the week.
The hitmaker has three albums, multiple RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications and over 1.2 billion global streams to his credit, and released his third album, Sad Songs For The Soul, early last year along with a slew of singles throughout the summer and fall. Up next for the artist is a chapter of Southern rock originals slated for release later this year.
Spring 2026 Kameron Marlowe “Live On Tour” Dates:
1/15 – 1/18: Cancun, MX – Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa*
2/19: Wyandotte, MI – District 142
2/20: Cleveland, OH – GLOBE IRON
2/21: Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
2/26: Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
2/27: Springfield, IL – Boondocks
2/28: Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
3/7: Rotterdam, NLD – C2C Festival, Rotterdam Ahoy*
3/8: Berlin, GER – C2C Festival, Uber Eats Music Hall*
3/13: Belfast, IRE – C2C Festival, SSE Arena Belfast*
3/14: Glasgow, SCT – C2C Festival, OVO Hydro*
3/15: London, UK – C2C Festival, The O2*
3/26: Lubbock, TX – Cook’s Garage (Indoors)
3/27: Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas (Main Stage)
3/28: Stillwater, OK – Tumbleweed Dance Hall
4/10: Pelham, TN – The Caverns
4/16: Waco, TX – The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill
4/17: Buda, TX – Buck’s Backyard
4/18: Helotes, TX – Floores Country Store (Outdoor)
4/24: Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
4/26: Indio, CA – Stagecoach*
4/30: Great Falls, MT – The Newberry
5/1: Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino (Pend Oreille Pavilion)
5/3: Seattle, WA – Showbox Sodo
5/5: Petaluma, CA – Mystic Theatre
5/7: San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater
5/8: Fresno, CA – Warnors Center for the Performing Arts
5/9: Sacramento, CA – Cal Expo Grandstands
* Festival date
CRS To Offer Early Bird Rate For One Day Only
/by Madison HahnenCRS will offer their early bird rate of $599 for one day only, tomorrow (Jan. 8). This will be the last chance to pay the lowest rate possible. During the sale, both the standard and Throwback Sale registration options will appear at checkout. Attendees must select “Throwback Sale Registration” to receive the discounted rate. On Jan. 9, CRS 2026 registration will return to the regular rate of $698.
CRS 2026 will offer three days of education, networking, and collaboration for broadcasters, programmers, artists, labels, managers, and media March 18-20 at the Omni Hotel Nashville. Programming will include Cycle of a Song, The New Faces of Country Music Show, artists conversations and case studies, Digital Music Summit Programming, leadership panels, networking opportunities, label lunches, Acoustic Alley, CRS Honors and more.
Registration is available here.
Veteran Music Exec Bobbii Jacobs Launches New Destination Event Series ‘Backstage Access Presents’
/by Lorie HollabaughBobbii Jacobs
Veteran music executive Bobbii Jacobs has launched Backstage Access Presents, a destination-driven event series designed to bring artists and industry tastemakers together in intimate, experience-led settings.
Backstage Access Presents goes beyond traditional industry settings, pairing music with iconic destinations to encourage deeper engagement among artists, programmers, music supervisors, and tastemakers. Jacobs’ past events have brought together artists and industry professionals representing Americana, AAA, country, hot AC, pop, rock and beyond, creating a rare, multi-format ecosystem that reflects how music is truly consumed today.
More than a live showcase, Backstage Access Presents is positioned as a breeding ground for collaboration, where artists are introduced across formats and industry leaders can discover music in a setting that mirrors real life. Through curated live performances, shared meals, immersive experiences, and intentional downtime, Backstage Access Presents is designed to remove barriers and encourage authentic relationship building. The company kicks off 2026 with a Napa Valley event April 14–16, blending curated live music with culinary experiences, world-class wine and cross-format dialogue.
“I’ve always believed the most meaningful industry moments happen outside of conference rooms,” says Jacobs. “Backstage Access Presents is about creating an environment where artists and industry leaders can truly connect, where conversations are organic, collaboration feels natural, and everyone leaves inspired.”
Jacobs’ career spans radio promotion, record labels, media, and live events, with credits working with artists such as Mariah Carey, Tina Turner, Lenny Kravitz, Norah Jones, Avril Lavigne, Matchbox Twenty, Edwin McCain, Gavin DeGraw and UB40, among many others. She previously held senior roles at LAVA Records and HITS Magazine, and as an entrepreneur founded and led multiple companies including Leverage MPC and BSG Entertainment. Jacobs is a founding force behind destination music events such as Live In The Vineyard, Live In The Vineyard Goes Country and Yountville Live.
Kelly McCartney Re-Launches Record Bin Radio
/by Lorie HollabaughKelly McCartney. Photo: Stacie Huckeba
Creator, host and producer Kelly McCartney has relaunched Record Bin Radio this week as an eclectic rock, rhythm and roots Internet station, broadcasting 24/7.
The standalone station is a combination of free-form, AOR, and Triple-A. The relaunch is rooted in McCartney’s belief that listeners value a curated mix of familiar music and new discoveries, selected by a trusted programmer.
“Because I hand-pick every song in the library, there’s nothing too chaotic, edgy, or harsh, so it flows pretty seamlessly,” notes McCartney. “You can be listening to Art Blakey one minute then find yourself at Lucy Dacus without having noticed that you ticked through a bunch of artificial genre boxes in between. That’s why I call it ‘Radio without Borders.’ I’ve never been a flag-waver. Whether with Record Bin or elsewhere, my approach to diversity starts with normalization. And that’s across every category — race, gender, and orientation, of course, but also levels of success. I love Bonny Light Horseman as much as I love REM. That said, I’m very excited about She Rocks Sundays.”
Each week, She Rocks Sundays interrupts Record Bin’s regular programming to play 24 hours of female and non-binary artists from across the rock-rhythm-roots rainbow with episodes of Carmel Holt’s SHEROES sprinkled in.
During its former 95-episode run on Apple Music, Record Bin Radio hosted stars and upstarts from the roots/rock arena, including Hozier, Brandi Carlile, Brandon Flowers, Gaby Moreno, Allison Russell, Rickie Lee Jones, and Taj Mahal, while it also honored legends like Nina Simone, Tina Turner, the Kinks, and Sinéad O’Connor with dedicated specials. In its return, Record Bin continues its commitment to weave the past, present, and future of great music together into a patchwork of generations, genres, and geographic regions.