Country Music Archives - Nashville Music Line

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.

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.

February’s ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ is here!

New music for lovers – country music lovers, that is!

By Preshias Harris

February is the month of love so we’ve got love songs, break-up songs, make-up songs and everything in between. New music from Dolly Parton, Eric Church, Frankie Ballard, ERNEST, Ashley McBryde, HARDY, Struggle Jennings, Megan Moroney, Jon Pardi and lots more for you and your Valentine, plus the Musicians Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees, a new IMAX movie, Bluegrass news and more. Scroll down for your Inside Track on Music Row!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I was a different person before I started to write. When I realized I could be a songwriter and that people would listen – that was when I started feeling good in my life.” – Gwen Stafani

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – I Corinthians 13: 13

ALBUM & EP NEWS

ERIC CHURCH

ERIC CHURCH will release the album Evangeline vs. The Machine: Comes Alive (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) on February 13, 2026, via MCA Nashville. Pre-save / pre-order here. Recorded at The Pinnacle in Nashville in May 2025, this 19-track live album accompanies an exclusive IMAX concert film of the same name releasing on the same day, featuring performances of his 2025 studio album in its entirety, alongside live versions of some of his hits such as “Desperate Man,” “Give Me Back My Hometown,” “Sinners Like Me,” and “Springsteen”.

The release coincides with the second leg of his “Free the Machine” tour, which resumed in early 2026. Find tour and ticket info here.

Scroll down to MOVIE NEWS for information about the Eric Church IMAX movie of Evangeline vs. The Machine: Comes Alive and where/when you can see it.

LAKELIN LEMMINGS

LAKELIN LEMMINGS: Rising country artist Lakelin Lemmings releases her new EP, Get Around Boy, on February 6, 2026, via QHMG/Quartz Hill Records. Produced by Ash Bowers the five-track project captures the emotional push-and-pull of small-town roots, restless ambition, faith, and modern country storytelling.

Anchored by title track, “Get Around Boy,” a contemporary-tinged road anthem that explores the personal cost of chasing dreams. With vivid, coast-to-coast imagery and a soaring sing-along chorus, the song finds Lakelin reflecting on love left behind while life keeps moving forward.

The EP balances high-energy autobiographical moments with thoughtful, heart-led storytelling. From the playful uncertainty of modern romance to songs rooted in faith and hometown memory, Get Around Boy showcases Lakelin’s growth as both a writer and an artist who is grounded, authentic and emotionally significant.

Wise beyond her 19 years, Lemmings’ faith and her tenacity lead her confidence as she sets out to tackle the wild and often beautiful business of music with an arsenal of talent. She signed her first Nashville publishing deal at just 17 years old and has since amassed more than 120,000 followers on TikTok. Connection and communication with her audience is what drives her songwriting. She strives to let listeners—especially girls her own age—know that they’re seen and heard. More at lakelinlemmings.com and on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

BLUEGRASS NEWS

BEACHLEY and WINDBECK

BEACHLEY and WINDBECK: Huckleberry Records has released “My Delilah,” a new single from Darren Beachleyand Kyle Windbeck that blends heartfelt storytelling with traditional bluegrass power and harmony. The song is at country radio now and is available for streaming from all digital music platforms here.

Inside Track on Music Row

November 2019 ‘Inside Track’ posted at Nashville Music Guide

My column, ‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ is the longest-running country music column in the USA. The November 2019 edition is now posted at Nashville Music Guide. You can read the full column here.

Among the many news items in this month’s column…

Jason Aldean’s new album, 9, set for release November 22. Jason says, “Early on I always thought if we ever got to make nine albums, I’m going to call it 9. It was my baseball number growing up, and it’s just kind of always been my lucky number”…

Chris Young made his directorial debut with the music video for his newest hit, “Drowning.” Co-directed with Native 31 Films Producer and Director Jeff Johnson, the video opens with Young holding a photo of Adam Carnes, his longtime friend whose loss is memorialized in the song’s lyrics…

Steven Curtis Chapman, Gospel music’s most awarded artist, continued bringing home the hardware with his 59th Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Bluegrass / Country / Roots Album of the Year, Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows…

Clint Black has released Still Killin’ Time featuring eight live recordings of Clint’s hits and two studio recordings of songs that nearly made it onto his debut album Killin’ Time…

Tracy Lawrence’s Mission: Possible Charity Concert will be held on Tuesday November 26 at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. This year marks the 14th year that Tracy has hosted his Mission: Possible event that assists feeding homeless men, women and children…

2019 Christmas 4 Kids concert headliner is “Just Another Day in Paradise” hitmaker Phil Vassar. He is the face of the nonprofit fundraising event, with Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion, Lonestar, Eddie Montgomery, Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele and more set to appear…

Read the full versions of the news items listed above and many more. Click here to go to the full column at Nashville Music Guide.

Syndicated shows spread country music worldwide

Hope Nation Radio Founder Nile Peaytt lands international success

By Preshias Harris

Nile “Big Daddy” Peaytt

One of the most caring and inspiring people I have ever met is Nile Peaytt, known to his friends (including me!) as “Big Daddy” who co-founded a wonderful organization known as Hope Nation Radio (HNR). Scroll down to read more about the programming on HNR, including shows that can be enjoyed by kids in hospital. But here is news about Nile spreading Nashville’s music worldwide.

“By doing these shows overseas, we have a chance to bring a taste of Nashville to places that are hungry for country music. Having a chance to be that voice means the world to me. We’re about to paint the world redneck.” – Nile “Big Daddy” Peaytt

Nile “Big Daddy” Peaytt of Hope Nation Radio has recently launched two brand new weekly syndicated radio shows, 90’s Country Flashback and 615 The Grind. 90’s Country Flashback, as the name alludes to, focuses on playing the best country hits from the 90’s while 615 The Grind is geared towards today’s country, new country artists and country news. Though the shows have only been around for a short amount of time, both have already been picked up internationally.

Shows airing in Ireland and Australia

90’s Country Flashback has seen success in Dublin, Ireland where it has been picked up on Total Country FM (listen online here via TuneIn) on Tuesdays at 6PM, Wednesdays at 7AM, Thursdays at 1PM, and Sundays at 6PM (GMT). “I love doing this show!” says Nile. “These artists blazed a trail and their music set the charts on fire. 90’s country was something special.” Continue reading “Syndicated shows spread country music worldwide”

Musicians Hall of Fame honors Class of 2019

Alabama, Steve Wariner, Don Everly among inductees

By Preshias Harris

Vocalists might spend more time in the spotlight but it’s the musicians who create the unforgettable sounds that are an integral part of every song. It was the musicians’ night to take center stage at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, Tuesday, October 22.

The Class of 2019 were honored with medallion presentations followed by a gala concert at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Downtown Nashville. Among the honorees were the legendary band Alabama, singer-songwriter and guitarist Steve Wariner, Don Everly, the Surfaris, renowned musicians from Muscle Shoals and more. See below for a full list of this year’s inductees.

‘The cream of the crop,’ says Teddy Gentry

I caught up with Teddy Gentry, founding member of Alabama, on the red carpet before the induction ceremony. Alabama was presented with the Musicians Hall of Fame’s first ever Lifetime Achievement Award. I asked Teddy what this special event meant to him.

Left to right: Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen of Alabama. Photo credit: Pete Collins/Musicians HoF & Museum

“Being honored among this quality of musicians here is a little extraordinary. This is the cream of the crop and to be recognized in the same way as these guys is really a great honor,” said Gentry.

Alabama was formed in 1969 in Forth Payne, AL, by cousins Teddy Gentry, Randy Owen and Jeff Cook. Blending country, Southern rock, pop and even bluegrass elements, Alabama racked up more than 40 number one hits on the Billboard country charts, many of which crossed over into the pop charts. With sales of more than 75 million records, they are recognized as the most successful band in country music history.

Steve Wariner, Certified Guitar Player

Continue reading “Musicians Hall of Fame honors Class of 2019”

Thomas Rhett and co-writers celebrate two No. 1s

“Sixteen,” “Look What God Gave Her” feted

By Preshias Harris

It was party time for Thomas Rhett (TR) and his co-writers on October 9 as they celebrated his twelfth and thirteenth No. 1 hits, “Sixteen” and “Look What Gave Her.” “Look” was written by Thomas Rhett along with his father Rhett Akins, Julian Bunetta, John Ryan, Jacob Kasher and Ammar Malik. Thomas co-produced the song with Dann Huff and Julian Bunetta, so it really was a group effort. It is the first single from Rhett’s fourth studio album, Center Point Road. “Sixteen” was penned by Thomas Rhett, Joe London and Sean Douglas.

(L to R) Rhett Akins, John Ryan, Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe London and Julian Bunetta. Photo Credit: Preshias Harris

And how many No. 1 songs have been written by a father and son?! In a way, it was destined to be. Growing up as the son of a successful singer-songwriter, he was immersed in the world of music as the son of Rhett Akins. The family moved from Valdosta, Georgia to Nashville when Thomas was still an infant and he grew up knowing his dad’s friends such as Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn. He did give a shout out to Tracy Lawrence, one of his favorites growing up country.

“Look What God Gave Her” was certified Gold by the RIAA for 500,000 units in combined sales and streams. It followed his previous single and No. 1 hit, “Sixteen,” a cut on his previous album Life Changes that gave Thomas a total of five Number Ones on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

Linking L.A. with Nashville

I said to Rhett Akins, “I watched you start in Country and I’m watching you, Thomas, create your mark in Country music history.” Turning to Thomas, I asked him to tell me about working with his co-writers and how he chose the songs to get to Center Point Road. Looking at Thomas sitting with his co-writers, I commented that they all looked like family. I asked him and his co-writers what it was like, creating these songs together. Continue reading “Thomas Rhett and co-writers celebrate two No. 1s”

Inside Track on Music Row October

October column ready to read now!

The October edition of my monthly column, ‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ is now posted at Nashville Music Guide’s website. It is the longest continually-running monthly country music column in the USA.

Thanks as always to Amanda and her crew for making ‘Inside Track’ the best looking (and most read) country music feature on the Web!

Among this month’s music news items in the column…

Singer-songwriter, Phil Vassar, is bringing his 20 years of hits to venues across the country with Stripped Down, an intimate, acoustic show in 14 cities from coast to coast with more dates to be added… Read the full story here.
Jason Aldean has revealed more details behind his next effort 9 (Macon Music/Broken Bow Records), to be released Nov. 22. ACM “Artist of the Decade” Aldean offers 16 interwoven tracks in an era of stand-alone singles… Read the full story here.
Lady Antebellum’s forthcoming album Ocean, set for release Nov. 15 on BMLG Records, marks a new beginning that brings the multi-Platinum trio back to their roots… Read the full story here.
The late Ralph Murphy will be honored with the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award during the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Monday, Oct. 14. Ralph Murphy lived his life in service to songwriters… Read the full story here.
Christmas 4 Kids, a non-profit organization that benefits hundreds of underprivileged children in Middle Tennessee, announced its all-star concert lineup. They including Phil Vassar, Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion, Lonestar, Eddie Montgomery, Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele and more. The show is set for Monday, November 25 at the Ryman Auditorium… Read the full story here.

Plus so many more music news items. See them all in the October Nashville Music Line.

Preshias Harris is a music journalist and 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

Eric Church, co-writers hailed for two No. 1 hits

“Some Of It,” “Round Here Buzz” topped radio airplay charts

By Preshias Harris

Eric Church likes to be original and his latest Number One party was definitely original. Instead of being held at a bar or the office of a Performing Rights Organization, it took place in an airplane hangar and was hosted by BMI. The location was inspired by the airplane theme of Church’s Desperate Man album cover. The party celebrated two songs recorded by Church, both of which topped the Billboard Country Airplay charts.

Number One parties honor the writers of a song, and Church was a co-writer on both songs being recognized at the event.

“Some Of It” was written by Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson and Clint Daniels. “Round Here Buzz” was penned by Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Luke Dick.

“All songs come from God and we’re just down here trying to catch them” – Bobby Pinson

(L to R) Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson, Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Luke Dick. Photo Catrina Engelby

Artists share video tributes

Continue reading “Eric Church, co-writers hailed for two No. 1 hits”