Nashville Music Line

Taylor Swift Inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 2026

Swift among six new inductees welcomed into Hall of Fame

By Preshias Harris

It was a gala night, celebrating some of the finest songwriters who have penned many of the world’s most memorable hits. It was October 26 at Nashville’s Music City Center for the 56^th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

PHOTO: (L to R) 2026 Inductees Lyle Lovett, Shawn Camp, Lee Thomas Miller, Taylor Swift, Career Maker Honoree George Strait and Inductee Bruce Channel. Photo credit: Ed Rode / Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame / Alliance Artists & Media Relations.

The Class of 2026 Inductees:

J.I. (JERRY) ALLISON

Jerry Allison, founding member of The Crickets with Buddy Holly and co-writer with Holly of many iconic hits such as “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Well All Right” and many more that have been covered by pop, rock, country and R&B artists. Allison was honored as the Legacy Inductee.

SHAWN CAMP

Shawn Camp, Contemporary Songwriter inductee, switched from performing in the ‘90s to songwriting. The Arkansas native penned “Two Pina Coladas” (Garth Brooks), “How Long Gone” (Brooks & Dunn), “Would You Go With Me” (Josh Turner), “Nobody But Me” (Blake Shelton), “River of Love” (George Strait) and many more.

BRUCE CHANNEL

Bruce Channel, the Texan singer-songwriter, was inducted in the Veteran Songwriter category. Best known for his worldwide million-selling smash hit “Hey! Baby!” that was also covered by Ringo Starr, Jose Feliciano, Conway Twitty and more, Channel moved to Nashville, co-writing hits for T.G. Sheppard, Janie Fricke, John Conlee, among others.

LYLE LOVETT

Lyle Lovett received the Veteran Songwriter Artist Award. Lovett’s witty lyrics and eclectic musical style earned critical acclaim and Top 20 singles “Cowboy Man,” “Give Back My Heart,” “Why I Don’t Know,” “God Will,” “She’s No Lady,” the Bluegrass hit “L.A. County” (New Vintage) and more.

LEE THOMAS MILLER

Lee Thomas Miller, the Contemporary Songwriter inductee, scored his first chart-topper in 2002 with the Grammy-nominated “The Impossible” (Joe Nichols) followed by “The World” (one of 20 Brad Paisley cuts), “You’re Gonna Miss This” (Trace Adkins), “In Color” (Jamey Johnson), “Southern Girl” (Tim McGraw) among many others.

TAYLOR SWIFT

Taylor Swift, the Contemporary Songwriter/Artist inductee, at 36, made history as the youngest-ever member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Signing with Sony/ATV at age 14 as the youngest writer in that company’s history, Swift went on to write and record global smash hit singles and albums, becoming the only four-time Grammy ‘Album of the Year’ recipient.

GEORGE STRAIT

George Strait was honored with the Career Maker Award. Across his 40-plus-year career, Strait has recorded more than 260 songs written or co-written by 72 NaSHOF songwriters – 44 0f whom were not in the Hall at the time he first cut their songs. Clearly, Strait has earned the title “Career Maker”!

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and preserving the songwriting legacy that is uniquely associated with the Nashville music community. More about the Hall of Fame here.

Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com. Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com. @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris

Country music’s hottest new releases and tour news! It’s October’s Inside Track on Music Row

Mitchell Tenpenny, Riley Green, Tyler Hubbard, Dasha, Dylan Scott, Brooks & Dunn, Brandi Carlile, Luke Bryan and more!

By Preshias Harris

October’s Inside Track on Music Row is a ‘goody bag’ of must-read news about new singles and albums from Country music’s biggest acts and artists-on-the rise. Scroll down for tour and show updates and much more… right here in the longest continuously-published monthly country music column in the USA!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “When you’re playing the Opry, before every song, tell the crowd you wrote it, or else they’ll just think that you’re a bad singer on karaoke night.” – Vince Gill’s advice to Don Schlitz (“The Gambler”), reported in The Tennessean, 8/28/22

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

ALBUM AND EP NEWS

LUKE BRYAN

LUKE BRYAN: Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan has released his ninth studio album, Signs. The 12-track album, produced by Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens, features Luke’s Top 10 hit “Country And She Knows It.” Listen to Signs on Deezer here; find vinyl and CD versions here. Listen/play “Country And She Knows It” here.

In its 17th year, Luke’s Farm Tour has mobilized thousands of concertgoers to donate to local food banks, helping thousands of families. Through on-site collections, generous fans have contributed more than 16,000 pounds of nonperishable food so far, which will directly provide meals to regional hunger-relief organizations. The project has provided more than 11 million meals through presenting sponsor Bayer’s #HerestotheFarmer. Luke’s work with these programs has been critical to raising awareness, educating communities, and expanding access to nutritious food, vitamins, and minerals.

During his career, Luke has amassed 27.2 billion global streams, 12 million global album sales, and more than 48 million track sales worldwide. Find tour and show info at LukeBryan.com; follow Luke on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

BRAD PAISLEY

BRAD PAISLEY: ‍Global country music superstar Brad Paisley recently released Tacklebox – Disc 1, a digital-only project “full of hooks, country music hooks.” Some of the songs on Tacklebox come from his extensive catalog of unreleased and unrecorded songs dating back to the 90s, when his career began. Other songs were recently written and inspired by that style and by the unmistakable 90s sound of Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn, and Alabama, as well as 80s-influenced productions reminiscent of those by George Strait, Garth Brooks, and others. Tacklebox – Disc 1 is available here.

Brad also co-produced William Shatner‘s new spoken-word album, Love & Other Mysteries (listen here). Brad, Taylor Goldsmith, the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Dawes, and three-time Academy of Country Music Piano Player of the Year Gordon Mote collaborated on the album’s musical arrangements.

Find Brad Paisley’s social/digital platforms here.

LAUREN WATKINS

LAUREN WATKINS: Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters singer-songwriter Lauren Watkins releases her third album If I’m Being Honest, produced by Will Bundy with co-production on select tracks from Joey Moi, available everywhere here. Across 12 unguarded tracks, the Nashville native captures an eye-opening chapter of her life, pairing her signature lyrical imagery with a plainspoken look at love, life and the everyday truths most people won’t say out loud. If I’m Being Honest leans further into the honesty that has long defined Watkins’ songwriting.

“If I’m being honest — no pun intended — this is the most ‘me’ I’ve ever felt making a record,” shares Watkins. “While much of the album comes from my own story, it was also inspired by the life unfolding around me…from conversations with friends over margaritas to everything I observed from the van window on the way to a show. At this age, some of my friends are going on first dates while others are getting divorced. Some are getting promotions and others are having babies. I wanted to capture all of it and make a record where, wherever you are in life, there’s a song for you.”

Here’s your September Inside Track on Music Row!

New Country albums & singles, tour updates, and more…

By Preshias Harris

September’s Need-to-Know news about albums, singles, tours and videos from Lauren Alaina, Big and Rich, Luke Combs, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, American Blonde, Donna Fargo, George Strait plus many others, along with info on rising stars, emerging artists and more… including DollyFest!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I saw this ad that said, ‘You too can look like Dolly Parton for only $500.’ Boy, I sure wish I’d seen that ad before I spent millions of dollars to look like Dolly Parton.” – Dolly Parton (01/19/1946 – 08/25/2026), spoken during a televised interview.

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:26

ALBUM & EP NEWS

LAUREN ALAINA

LAUREN ALAINA: Country superstar Lauren Alaina has released her highly anticipated album, Stages, out now via Big Loud Records (listen/play here). The 17-song collection was co-produced by hitmakers Joey Moi, Ben Johnson, Jacob Durrett, Mikey Reaves and Adam James. Stages chronicles the defining chapters of Alaina’s life, with her signature lyrical candor and powerhouse vocals. Over the course of the album, she explores coming of age to starting a family and more, marked by three Stages – Stage One: The Dreaming, Stage Two: The Breaking, Stage Three: The Becoming.

Following the 08/28 release of Stages, Lauren played Rock The Country in Ocala, Florida, then the Grand Ole Opry Sept 01, with additional festival dates to close out the summer. Beginning in October, Alaina will head out on her headlining The Stages Tour spotlighting every era of her career, blending new music with the fan-favorite anthems that have defined her rise. Support across select dates will include rising artists Shane Profitt, Ashley Kutcher, and fellow American Idol alum Hannah Harper. Find tour/ticket information and more at Lauren Alaina’s Official Website; follow her on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube.

AMERICAN BLONDE

AMERICAN BLONDE’s long-awaited October 2 release, Delta Home, opens with the gritty, revenge-filled “Mississippi Moonshine,” and instantly sets a high bar for this six-song collection. It’s one that this tight-knit five-piece unit of Mississippi natives tops effortlessly. Fronted by sisters Nata and Tinka Morris, the group features Nata (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Tinka (vocals, drums, percussion), Pete Horne (lead and rhythm guitar), Zach Dickerson (lead and rhythm guitar), and Will Garrett (bass, background vocals). Collectively, the players bring together diverse influences (The Eagles, Paul Gilbert, Carole King, Dave Grohl, Lynyrd Skynyrd) and varied life experiences to create a unique sonic tapestry of Delta Blues-infused Southern Country Rock. Pre-save now.

American Blonde joins multi-Platinum rockers Candlebox for select October shows on their Can’t Quit You Tour. More at www.AmericanBlondeMusic.com, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

Summer Country Music News: Tours, Albums, Singles and more!

It’s August’s Inside Track on Music Row… right here!

By Preshias Harris

Summer 2026 is wrapping up in style with tour updates, sun-kissed singles and albums from Brad Paisley, Tucker Wetmore, Riley Green, LOCASH, Thomas Rhett, Ashley Cooke, Corey Kent, Dierks Bentley, Shaboozey, Mitchell Tenpenny, Jason Aldean, Larry Fleet, The Band Perry, Jesse and Noah, and many more… plus news about the Nashville Songwriter Awards, Christmas Music (yeah, really!) and more: 35+ music news items. Scroll down to read this month’s Inside Track on Music Row, America’s longest continuously-published monthly country music column.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “Whenever I fill out the job description I put ‘songwriter’, never ‘singer’ or ‘artist.’ Singers come and go.” – Brian McKnight, R&B singer-songwriter, arranger, producer and musician

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. – Psalm 113:3

ALBUM NEWS

ASHLEY COOKE

ASHLEY COOKE: Country hitmaker Ashley Cooke has unveiled the tracklist for her highly anticipated self-titled sophomore album. Due out via Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music on August 14, ashley cooke documents a chaotic period of self-discovery, showcasing a truly singular songwriter reaching a whole new level of complexity and confidence. Pre-order/pre-save ashley cooke here.

Written in real time as she processed a number of formative life experiences, ashley cooke, made with all-star producers like the legendary Dann Huff, opens up about falling in love, spiraling, searching for clarity, and coming to terms with her own self-sabotaging tendencies. But while the 15-song LP embodies an unflinching honesty, Cooke speaks her truth with equal parts sensitivity, sharp wit, and breezy irreverence — an element perfectly echoed in the album’s coastal-Country sound and ’90s-inspired aesthetic.

On social media, Cooke revealed the tracklist in the form of a custom jean jacket featuring embroidered patches inspired by the album. Earlier this year, “baby blues” climbed to the No. 1 spot on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown. Tour dates and more at ashleycooke.com, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube.

Jesse & Noah release latest album, The Sunshine Shop, and single “Lina Rose”

Jesse and Noah release album “The Sunshine Shop” and single “Lona Rose”

Second generation of Bellamy Brothers

By Preshias Harris

The Sunshine Shop, at 1912 Church Street in Nashville, seemed like it had been there forever; something of a landmark for Nashvillians. It had been in that location since 1962, close to what is now Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital. Friends and family would stop there for “get well” flowers and “cheer up” gifts for patients they were on their way to visit.

Now, the iconic location has become the inspiration for brothers Jesse and Noah for their current album, The Sunshine Shop, as well as the title track and even the album’s cover photo. Listen/play via all music services here. The sixth album from the duo, The Sunshine Shop is released via Usonia Records and distributed by Select-O-Hits, along with the project’s focus track, “Lina Rose,” and that track’s accompanying music video (watch here). The Sunshine Shop was recorded by Platinum-selling producer/engineer Zach Kasik at Wild Feather Recording in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Singles from the album

“Lina Rose” follows four previously-released singles from the project, along with videos: “I Told A Lie,” “Loving This Night,” “Old Cowboys” and “On Again, Off Again”. The Sunshine Shop marks the duo’s first collaborations with outside artists. Riders in the Sky brought the western harmony needed for “Old Cowboys,” while Tess Frizzell joined the pair on “On Again, Off Again.”

Country music’s hottest new albums, singles and tours!

July’s Inside Track of Music Row starts here

By Preshias Harris

SO much great music news! How can we fit it all in?! New albums, singles, tours and more from Gabby Barrett, Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Shaboozey, Lady A, CJ Solar, Alana Springsteen, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Cody Jinx, Allie Colleen, Riley Green, The Highwomen, Don Williams, Ashley Cooke, Vince Gill, LOCASH & Parmalee plus new releases from emerging artists, upcoming music festivals and more. Thank you for making Inside Track on Music Row the longest continuously-published monthly country music column in the USA!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I feel, as a songwriter, it’s one of the hardest things to do – to sit down and say how you feel.” – Bruno Mars

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. – Psalm 74:17

ALBUM & EP NEWS

RILEY GREEN

RILEY GREEN: Amid another massive year of touring sold-out arenas, new career feats, and major award show milestones, Country superstar Riley Green announces his fourth studio album, That’s Just Me out September 18^th (pre-save/pre-order here). Produced by Dann Huff and Green, the project will be released via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. Alongside the announcement, Green also released the second track from the record, “Think As You Drunk” (listen here).

Written and recorded during a pivotal year in Riley Green’s life and in the midst of the biggest tour of his career to date, That’s Just Me is a deeply personal multi-faceted body of work that captures the many sides of Green as an artist, but more importantly as a songwriter. Rooted in his signature Country storytelling with a strong western spirit, the record moves effortlessly between tender moments of yearning, brooding, and heartbreak, carefree beachy anthems, and the fun-loving drinking songs fans have come to love. Reflecting a season of change and growth, That’s Just Me showcases Green at a defining moment, revealing new layers while staying true to the authenticity that has always driven his music. Follow Green on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

See also Number One News, below.

VINCE GILL

VINCE GILL: Music icon Vince Gill has released A Mother’s Prayer, the newest in his year-long EP series titled 50 Years From Home. Gill also launched his 50 Years From Home tour in June, a 27-city run including a six-night residency at the historic Ryman Auditorium. A complete list of dates can be found here.

Each of Gill’s EP releases thus far have centered around a unifying idea and theme. The glue holding the seven songs on the eighth installment, A Mother’s Prayer, is a bit more subtle, but the connection is revealed after listening all the way through and considering the context. Like the other 50 Years From Home EPs, A Mother’s Prayer was produced by Gill at his home studio near Nashville, with engineers Justin Niebank and Matt Rausch.

“I think with each of these EPs, I’m working toward pairing the songs that will sit together, that flow together, that sequence well,” Gill explains. “I like the theme of these songs, what they’re about. Where they came from. There are definitely some very personal ones on A Mother’s Prayer.” More at vincegill.com and on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

THE HIGHWOMEN

THE HIGHWOMEN, the acclaimed collaborative movement formed by Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby, share their new live album, Live at The Gorge 2023—available to stream everywhere: listen here. Alongside the digital album, a new live music video for “Redesigning Women” is available here.

“We weren’t planning on releasing a live album,” shares the group, “But in preparing for our upcoming reunion we recently listened back to The Gorge, and whatever happened out there that night came rushing right back…the adrenaline, the near misses, the harmonies locking in at exactly the right second, and the sound of thousands of people singing like they meant every word with their whole chest. The recordings sound wild, emotional, electric, human and exactly how that night felt…We could really feel the connection, the community and that rare oneness where everybody carried each other for a little while … Just us, the crowd, the canyon, and whatever that feeling was. We sure hope you feel it.” More at TheHighwomen.com and Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Country Singles! Albums! Tours! In June’s ‘Inside Track on Music Row’

Riley Green, Josh Turner, Dan + Shay, Luke Bryan, Zach Top, Walker Montgomery and more

By Preshias Harris

Preshias Personal Note: This column is a little shorter (and later) than usual. It’s been a challenging few weeks with doctor visits, CT scans and MRIs ending with a biopsy of my liver, two urgent Emergency Room visits and hospital admission for severe abdominal pain requiring an emergency procedure. The good news: no evidence of liver or pancreatic cancer, but a LOT of pain. Despite my many health issues over the years, I’ve always managed to publish/post Inside Track on Music Row, America’s longest continuously-running monthly Country music column, and I wasn’t going to let this latest challenge break that 30+ year run! Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. Publicists: please send your media releases to me at this address: nashhvillemusicline@gmail.com

Scroll down for news about new music, tour updates and more from Luke Bryan, Zach Top, Walker Montgomery, T. Graham Brown, Dan + Shay, Riley Green, Josh Turner and more!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “The greatest award in the music business is to be called a songwriter.” – Garth Brooks

BIBLE VERS OF THE MONTH: My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I whom you have delivered. – Psalms 71:23

ALBUM & EP NEWS

KYLE CLARK

KYLE CLARK: Just ahead of Memorial Day weekend Kyle Clark has released your summer soundtrack. The Platinum-certified songwriter, producer, and rising artist’s new 10-track album Better On A Boat is a laid-back, coastal-inspired country record made for long weekends on the water. Stream Better On A Boat here.

Alongside the album release, Kyle spotlights the project’s title track, “Better On A Boat” — a breezy coastal country anthem built around freedom, connection, and soaking up life’s simple moments. With vivid scenes of sunlit water, cold drinks, good company, and summer stretching endlessly overhead, the track pairs relaxed island-inspired production with heartfelt storytelling and romance. Easygoing yet deeply nostalgic, “Better On A Boat” captures the feeling of leaving the noise behind, embracing the moment, and finding peace somewhere out on the water.

Clark blends island ease with Southern grit — a duality that shapes both his sound and Better On A Boat. Produced and mixed by Clark and mastered by Sam Moses, the project leans deeper into his beach-forward lane within the genre.

Previously released singles from Better On A Boat — “Checking Out,” “Me, God And The Ocean,” “Blame It On The Sun,” “Dock And A Hard Place,” “Fake Dead In Fiji,” and “Florida On My Mind” — reflect Clark’s coastal-country perspective, capturing the easygoing rhythms and playful spirit of life by the water throughout the record. More at KyleClarkMusic.com; follow Clark on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

THOMAS CSORBA

THOMAS CSORBA has released his new album Tender Country via the newly-launched Turtlebox Records. (Pre-order / pre-save album here.) His third studio album, Tender Country, is country music uninterested in posturing, guided instead by tenderness, humor, and an acceptance of impermanence. That mentality comes across acutely in his new single, “The Big Time” (stream here), a gorgeous country ballad that poignantly illustrates the hardships of a life on the road and the family milestones you can miss along the way.

Csorba on the new single: “This song is the most honest song on the record. It’s a song that sits right there on the edge of the cliff of giving up. I figured there’s no other way to start but by addressing the elephant in the room. How does someone who values his stable home life and family reconcile that with his life as a travelling musician?”

Born in Houston, Texas and now rooted in Dallas, Thomas Csorba writes country music that feels less like performance and more like witness. The songs on Tender Country are deeply invested in the emotional architecture of family life. Marriage, routine, fatigue, joy, and discovery are all treated with equal seriousness. In Csorba’s hands, washing dishes and falling in love again become similar acts of quiet devotion. Tender Country follows Csorba’s 2024 release Windchimes. More at ThomasCsorba.com; follow Csorba on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Inside Track on Music Row: all new music for May ’26!

New albums and singles, tour news, CMA Fest updates, Opry news and more

By Preshias Harris

It’s May on Music Row and here’s your Inside Track with everything you need to know about the new and upcoming Country album and single releases and tours from Dylan Scott, Southall, Keith Urban, Brian Kelley & Niko Moon, Kacey Musgraves, Russell Dickerson, Riley Green, Shaboozey, Brandy Clark, Ryan Bingham, Lauren Rismiller, Aaron Tippin and many more! Plus news and updates about CMA Fest, the ACM Awards, Grand Ole Opry and more. Scroll down and catch up!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I started being a songwriter pretending I could do it, and it turned out I could.” – singer-songwriter James Taylor

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen. – Isaiah 60:22

ACM AWARDS WEEK NEWS

ACM AWARDS WEEK NEWS Part One: The Academy of Country Music (ACM) announced additional performers and new event details for this year’s ACM Awards Week lineup, which will take place in the lead-up to the highly anticipated 61st ACM Awards on Sunday, May 17th at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

2025 ACM Triple Crown Award recipient and 14-time ACM Award-winning Country superstar Keith Urban will headline “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach, Saturday, May 16. Urban joins previously announced performers including Flatland Cavalry, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, Braxton Keith, and Tucker Wetmore, as well as members of the Opry NextStage Class of 2026 – Willow Avalon, Graham Barham, Tyler Braden, Alexandra Kay, Vincent Mason, Emily Ann Roberts, and Hudson Westbrook. Tickets are available starting at $150 for VIP and $75 for General Admission at AXS.com.

Additional ACM Awards Week performers, as well as ACM Awards’ presenters, performers, and host, will be announced in the coming weeks. #ACMawards

ACM AWARDS WEEK NEWS Part Two: Additionally, Avery Anna, The Band Perry, Jenna Paulette and Caroline Jones have been announced as performers for the “Whiskey Jam Welcome Party.” A long-standing Nashville staple for live music, Whiskey Jam, is headed to Las Vegas on Thursday, May 14, from 8–11 p.m. for a free ACM Awards welcome party open to both fans and industry alike held at Ole Red Las Vegas. Additional performers to be announced.

“Whiskey Jam Welcome Party” joins the previously announced ACM Awards Week events including the aforementioned “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” (see above) and “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas on Friday, May 15th. The event will feature an unforgettable, up-close concert experience with headliner Riley Green, alongside Lauren Alaina, Rodney Atkins, and Randy Houser.Tickets are available at $200 for VIP Early Access to General Admission doors and $150 for General Admission at AXS.com. Proceeds benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic partner of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.

The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.

ALBUM NEWS

ERNEST

ERNEST: On May 1^st, Nashville-native, Grammy-nominated tastemaker and triple threat talent ERNEST released his third full-length studio album, Deep Blue – listen here. Inspired by the sounds and spirit of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Deep Blue takes the listener out to sea on a nostalgic, sentimental trip, full circle and reminiscent of ERNEST’s 9-song, 2019 entry Locals Only.

Don McLean Honored at Grand Ole Opry: A Musical Legacy

McLean performed his legendary hit “American Pie” and more

Legendary singer-songwriter Don McLean was honored at the Grand Ole Opry following his second appearance on the world-famous stage, where he performed as part of the Opry’s historic 100th anniversary celebration and in recognition of the upcoming 250th anniversary of America.

*PHOTO: Don McLean is pictured backstage at the Grand Ole Opry with Jackie Jones of the RIAA following McLean’s second Opry performance. Photo credit: Jeremy Westby*

Following his performance, McLean was presented with multiple commemorative awards recognizing the extraordinary and continuing impact of his catalog, including “American Pie” earning 6x Platinum single status and the American Pie album earning 2x Platinum album status. The presentation also highlighted additional RIAA Gold and Platinum honors tied to McLean’s remarkable songwriting legacy, including “Vincent,” which is also featured on Josh Groban’s 5x Platinum self-titled album, and Perry Como’s Gold-certified album And I Love You So, which featured Como’s beloved recording of McLean’s timeless composition.

RIAA SVP of Artist & Industry Relations Jackie Jones joined celebration of McLean from his own landmark recordings to the remarkable reach of his songs through artists across generations.

“Standing on the Opry stage is always meaningful, but to have this night surrounded by these songs and these awards made it especially moving,” said McLean. “When I wrote ‘American Pie,’ ‘Vincent,’ and ‘And I Love You So,’ I wasn’t thinking about plaques or numbers. I was thinking about truth, beauty, loss, love, and the country I knew. To see these songs still living in people’s hearts after all these years is the greatest honor.”

Alex Miller: he’s ‘More Country Than You’ with new album

True traditional country from one of the genre’s best proponents

By Preshias Harris

Alex Miller stands head and shoulders above the flock of current artists in the field of neo-traditional country. And not just physically – although his boyishly handsome face smiles down from his impressive 6’ 6” frame. Miller occupies a pinnacle as the real deal when it comes maintaining an unswerving journey that few of his contemporaries can match.

April 10, 2026 sees the release of Miller’s highly-anticipated new album, More Country Than You (Billy Jam Records). The ten tracks on the project include six co-written by Miller who has proved himself a prolific and reliable songwriter. Miller leapt into the spotlight, galvanizing viewers with his appearances on the 2021 season of American Idol. (Watch the video here of Miller’s first appearance on Idol at age 17, as Luke Bryan jumps in to duet with him.)

With a manager and booking agent post-Idol, Miller became an in-demand performer with a full calendar of dates but found time to record and release his debut album, the aptly-named Miller Time that generated three popular singles “I’m Over You, So Get Over Me,” “Don’t Let The Barn Door Hit Ya,” and “Through With You.” Then, in 2023, came his highly acclaimed EP, Country, that included the smash single “Puttin’ Up Hay” and the 2024 EP My Daddy’s Dad.