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

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

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.”

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Nashville Songwriter Awards again show why this is truly Music City

By Preshias Harris and Kayla Slater

The 2025 Nashville Songwriter Awards, held traditionally in September, is always an opportunity to recognize the best of the best, and this year’s event was no exception. In addition to naming the Songwriter of the Year and Songwriter-Artist of the Year, other presentations included the Song of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Legendary Song Award and the President’s Keystone Award, as well as the unique Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written Awards. The event was staged by Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) at the famed Ryman Auditorium and presented by City National Bank.

Such a great evening, and you can read my full story about the Awards (and some of the red carpet interviews that my colleague Kayla Slater and I carried out) here at Center Stage Magazine.

2025 Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley (left) meets up on the red carpet with Alabama’s Randy Owen. Photo Kayla Slater

The Song of the Year Award went to Josh Phillips for his solo-write (something of a rarity these days) of “Dirt Cheap” recorded by Cody Johnson. Phillips had written the song with Luke Combs in mind, but when Combs chose not to cut it, Phillips passed it on to Cody Johnson. The song, produced by Trent Willmon, peaked at No. 5 on Country Airplay and No. 14 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.

Josh Phillips (left) receives the Song of the Year Award for “Dirt Cheap” presented to him by NSAI Board President Lee Thomas Miller. Photo: Jason Davis/NSAI

Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year for the fourth consecutive year and nine years in total (so far!) – an unparalleled achievement – in the same year as he was elevated to the national Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in NYC. Tyler Hubbard performed “Park” (written by Gorley, Hubbard, Jesse Frasure and Canaan Smith), and Dylan Scott performed “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” (written by Gorley, Scott, John Byron, Charlie Handsome and Taylor Phillips).

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What’s new in country music?

It’s February’s ‘Inside Track on Music Row’ with Preshias

Lots to catch up on in this month’s Inside Track on Music Row, the longest continuously-running country music column in the USA, written and presented by Preshias Harris.

Read the full column, along with links to music, videos, photos and more here at Nashville Music Guide. Among this month’s stories…

  • Adam Sanders’ new album, Adam Sanders Live, and links to the tracks
  • On the 20th anniversary of releasing his first single to radio, Tim McGraw duets with Tyler Hubbard on “Undivided”
  • HARDY says “Give Heaven Some Hell” to a departed friend in new single…
  • Check out the tracks on Lee Brice’s latest album, Hey World
  •  The 2021 Volunteer Jam: A Musical Salute to Charlie Daniels, scheduled for February 22, has been moved to a new date
  • On “Freedom Was A Highway,” Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley reminisce about the nostalgia and simplicity of more carefree, youthful days
  • Kip Moore shares the track and video of “How High” from his 17-track Wild World Deluxe project, set to drop Feb 12
  • Eric Church’s 3-part project Heart & Soul includes a special part just for Church Choir members
  • Loretta Lynn is Still Woman Enough with new album due in March plus a PBS documentary
  • Thomas Rhett is the latest country artist to get into the wine & liquor business with Dos Primos tequila
  • Parker Millsap teases upcoming album Be Here Instead with single, “The Real Thing”
  • Plus… Chris Janson, Ashlyn Grayce, Gene Watson, Opry News, Brett Young, Tin Pan South 2021 update, Buck Owens, Clay Walker and more in the February 2021 Inside Track on Music Row posted here at Nashville Music Guide now!

 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

@PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris

Dangerous! Morgan Wallen’s new 30-track double album

Preshias talks country music with Y’all Show host Jon Rawl

Another busy week on Music Row. @PreshiasHarris and Jon discuss a bunch of topics on this week’s livestream that you can watch now on the Ya’ll Show website or the Y’all Show YouTube channel. Among the topics:

  • Morgan Wallen’s new double album includes collaborations with some of Nashville’s biggest writers and artists
  • Terry McBride – of McBride & the Ride – releases a new album, and the Ride’s entire catalog is now available on Spotify
  • Tim McGraw and FGL’s Tyler Hubbard are “Undivided” on a new heartfelt song of unity
  • Three sad losses for Nashville: the passing of Ed Bruce, Jamie O’Hara and Misty Morgan
  • Thomas Rhett launches Dos Primos tequila and joins the list of country artists in the wine and liquor business
  • Lady A’s “Champagne Night” takes the charts by storm after Songland TV show
  • Plus an “I Know Country” Q&A, some country artists celebrating birthdays this week, the Top 5 Country Airplay songs and more. Scroll down to read the program notes, and watch the livestream at the Y’all Show website or the Y’all Show YouTube channel.
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CMA names recipients of Triple Play Awards

Tickets on sale now for Feb 19 show

The Country Music Association has revealed the recipients of the 10th annual CMA Triple Play Awards, an honor presented to songwriters who pen three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period based on the Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

In total, 10 songwriters will receive trophies this year: Luke Combs, Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Ashley Gorley, Tyler Hubbard, Josh Kear, Shane McAnally, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne and Thomas Rhett.

Galyon will host a very special CMA Songwriters Series Presented by U.S. Bank performance, taking place Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville at 7:00 PM (doors 6:00 PM) and also featuring Combs, Gorley, Kear, McGill and Osborne.

(L to R) Nicolle Galyon, Luke Combs, Ashley Gorley, Josh Kier, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne set to appear at CMA Songwriters Series, Feb 19. Photo: CMA

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