Kawasaki Becomes the Official Sponsor of Morgan Wallen's 2025 'I'm The Problem Tour'

June 18, 2025

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. is joining forces with the man Billboard calls “one of the biggest stars in the music world right now,” Morgan Wallen, as the official sponsor of his 2025 I’m The Problem Tour. Known for the tagline “Let the Good Times Roll™”, Kawasaki is ready to kick off the summer by joining Wallen on his 20-stadium-show tour that will hit 10 cities across the U.S. and Canada. To highlight the close partnership between the 19-time Billboard Music Award winner and Kawasaki, the sponsorship features a nationwide sweepstakes along with Kawasaki events at select tour stops.

“We are honored to partner with the biggest country star in the world,” said Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. Senior Director, Global and Domestic Marketing Bob O’Brien. “We see this as much more than a sponsorship and know there is a huge cross-over between Morgan Wallen and Kawasaki fans. Bringing these two iconic brands together should make for a summer filled with Good Times.”

Dubbed “the most commercially successful musician of his era” by The New Yorker, more than 3.1 million fans attended his One Night At A Time world tour. Wallen’s brand new album, I’m The Problem, has already taken the music scene by storm with a record-setting 37 songs on the Billboard Hot 100.

The I’m The Problem Tour kicks off June 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas and to celebrate Kawasaki is announcing a nationwide sweepstakes for a chance to win a new Kawasaki NAV® 4e personal transportation vehicle designed for cruising the good life along with a Morgan Wallen VIP prize pack. For more details and your chance to win go to www.kawasaki.com/NAVSWEEPS.

Ashley Gorley Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

June 13, 2025

With an unprecedented 83 No. 1 radio singles to his name, Ashley Gorley was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame yesterday, June 12, alongside The Doobie Brothers, George Clinton, Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and Tony Macaulay.

Following an introduction and performance by Dan + Shay – whose smash hits “Nothin’ Like You” and “Save Me The Trouble” were co-written with the inductee – Gorley’s daughter Sadie took the stage to welcome her father, adding a personal note to the milestone moment.

“I spent the last few weeks trying to internalize that this is a real thing, and that I somehow belong on this list, and in this room with you guys,” Gorley shared during his speech. “And as much as part of me is still in shock, I look around this room, and I know I belong.

“I belong because it’s a room full of people who love music. People who are passionate about creating. Who have 10,000 untitled voice memos on their phones of random gibberish and melody scats, like me. Who write down titles and ideas in the middle of the night and hope the next morning they look half as brillant…I look around this room, and I see family.”

Ahead of the induction ceremony, Gorley joined Anthony Mason, Adriana Diaz and Vladimir Duthiers on CBS Mornings Plus to discuss the honor. Watch the segment HERE.

He also appeared on the debut episode of Sony Music Publishing Nashville’s new podcast Thank A Songwriter, hosted by SMPN’s CEO Rusty Gaston. Part 1 of his in-depth conversation with Gorley is available now. Listen HERE.

Gorley recently received his 25th and 26th CMA Triple Play Awards, continuing his reign as the most-decorated recipient. He is ASCAP’s 2024 Country Songwriter of the Year and has been honored with the award 11 times. ASCAP also celebrated his co-written monster hit, “Last Night,” released by Wallen, as their 2024 Country Song of the Year.

In recent years, Gorley has held the number-one spot on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 Songwriter chart for multiple weeks, earned GRAMMY, CMA and ACM Award honors, including Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year, and has co-written multiple most-played songs of the year on country radio, including Nate Smith’s ten-week number-one, “World On Fire,” in 2024. He was named Songwriter of the Decade for 2010-2019 at the Nashville Songwriter Awards and has earned all-genre Songwriter of the Year honors from Variety and iHeart Radio. Gorley’s songs “Last Night” by Wallen and “I Had Some Help” by Malone and Wallen are two of the biggest country crossover hits of all time.

Recent hit, “I Am Not Okay” released by Jelly Roll, has served as a platform for important conversations about mental health, sparking an initiative cultivated by Gorley to create songwriter-specific therapy programs at Onsite in Nashville, Tenn.

In 2011, Gorley formed his own publishing and artist development company, Tape Room Music. Under his leadership and mentorship, writers for Tape Room have celebrated over No. 1 songs, including 2018 ASCAP Country Song of the Year, “Body Like A Back Road,” 2021 ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC Country Song, “One Of Them Girls,” and 10-week Country Airplay number-one hit, “World On Fire.”

Randall King and Braxton Keith Team Up For “Cheatin’ On My Honky Tonk,” Out Now

June 13, 2025

In the 18 months since Randall King released his sophomore major label album, Into The Neon, the Hereford, Texas native got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Brittany Warthan, and the pair welcomed their first child together – a daughter named Paisley Leanna – in April. Reflecting on this new stage in his life, King is spending less time under the neon signs that he’s grown accustomed to with the release of “Cheatin’ On My Honky Tonk” feat. Braxton Keith, available now. Listen below.

“My fans all know how much I love a honky tonk, however life’s looking a little different these days,” shares King. “I’m spending less time under that neon glow and more time at home with my girls, and this song felt like the perfect way to bridge Into The Neon and this next chapter. I couldn’t think of anyone better to join me on it than my good buddy Braxton Keith. Hope y’all enjoy!”

“Cheatin’ On My Honky Tonk” was written by Phil O’Donnell, Ira Dean and Ronnie Dunn. Paired with fellow Texas native Braxton Keith on vocals, King wittily depicts a man’s maturation as his priorities shift from frequenting his local honky tonk to spending time at home with his newfound love.

“Randall’s been championing me in my career from the beginning,” remarks Keith. “We had a lot of fun on this one. It was an honor to be asked to sing on his song.”

As King returns to the studio, readying his next album for 2026, the man Holler declared “the genre's neo-traditional figurehead” will continue touring throughout 2025, with a mix of headlining shows and support dates on Luke Bryan’s Country Song Came On Tour.

King’s sophomore album, Into The Neon, was released Jan. 26, 2024 to critical acclaim, leaving Texas Monthlyobserving “his Texas bona fides are unimpeachable.” Into The Neon was also named among the top country albums of 2024 by Entertainment Focus and Whiskey Riff. The album yielded King’s first country radio single, “I Could Be That Rain.”

For more information and to follow along with updates, visit RandallKingMusic.com.

ABOUT RANDALL KING:
A West Texas native and self-described “old soul," Warner Music Nashville's Randall King has never wavered in his honky-tonk allegiance – in fact, he’s worn it like a badge of honor, growing with pride into a leading voice for today’s traditional country. Amassing nearly 500 Million streams with singles like “You In A Honky Tonk,” “Hey Cowgirl” and “Mirror, Mirror,” he’s kept the twang alive in country’s mainstream while also earning acclaim through deeply personal EPs like 2020’s Leanna, and his 2022 major label album debut, Shot Glass – which landed on both Whiskey Riff’s Top 40 Country Albums of 2022 and Billboard’s All Genre 50 Best Albums of 2022 (So Far). Schooled on icons like Keith Whitley, George Strait, Alan Jackson and John Anderson, but inspired by modern masters like Dierks Bentley and Gary Allan, King first built an independent, grass-roots following on the strength of his electrifying live shows – each one a harrowing mix of rowdy roughnecking, romantic tenderness and breathtaking emotion – never asking for permission to explore his creative vision. He has since gone on to headline all across the U.S., the U.K. and Europe, where he continues to play nearly 150 shows a year and hone his craft where it matters most. Named a Country Artist to Watch by everyone from Pandora and Country Now to Music Mayhem Magazine, his sophomore major label album Into the Neon, available now, takes that craft to the next level, as King’s neo-traditional roots meet the blood-pumping rhythms and sharp, arena-sized grooves of Y2K-era country and beyond. Co-produced by King and Jared Conrad, and featuring 18 tracks, punchy sounds exist side-by-side with timeless swagger, further blurring the line between yesteryear and today–even as King renews his forever-country vows. Into The Neon was named among the best country albums of the year by Whiskey Riff, Country Now & Entertainment Focus, and yielded King’s debut single, “I Could Be That Rain.”

Ashley McBryde's "Rattlesnake Preacher" Arrives June 26 Following Fan Demand

June 9, 2025

After closing out her second year of co-hosting CMA Fest with an electrifying performance at Nissan Stadium Sunday night – including a “scintillating” rendition of fan-favorite “Rattlesnake Preacher,” as praised by Tennessean– Ashley McBryde announces the long-awaited studio version of the live staple, available on June 26 via Warner Music Nashville. Pre-save “Rattlesnake Preacher” HERE.

“‘Rattlesnake Preacher’ has been a staple in our live show since the bar days, and we’ve constantly been asked by fans when it’ll make it onto a record,” shares McBryde. “As we were gearing up for my second year of co-hosting CMA Fest, it felt like the perfect time to finally get this one out there. It’s my way of saying thank you to the fans who have shown up, listened and gave this song life long before it was ever recorded.”

The forthcoming track also holds personal significance for McBryde. Written by her late friend and collaborator Randall Clay, the release of “Rattlesnake Preacher” also honors his legacy.

“I’ve written nearly every song on all my records, so when I cut one I didn’t write, it means something,” shares McBryde. “Randall was part of a group of songwriters that helped me write some of the most formative songs of my career, and his songs will always find a home with me to continue his legacy.”

Produced by John Osborne, McBryde was joined by her band Deadhorse in the studio to capture the same energy the track emanates when performed live. Opening with searing fiddle and white-hot electric guitar, the Arkansas native’s vocals soar:

Last month, McBryde enjoyed a full-circle moment, receiving her Honorary Doctorate of Music from her alma mater Arkansas State University. You can find Doctor McBryde on the road this summer with headlining shows across the U.S. among festival dates at Country Stampede, Country Thunder Wisconsin, WE Fest and more, before joining Little Big Town and Dwight Yoakam on select dates. For tickets and additional information, visit AshleyMcBryde.com.

Ashley McBryde Tour Dates
June 13            IP Casino Resort Spa - Studio A // Biloxi, MS
June 14            Peach Jam // Clanton, AL
June 20            Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino // Lake Charles, LA
June 21            Wild Adventures Live! 2025 // Valdosta, GA
June 26            Country Stampede // Topeka, KS
June 27            The Claude Cox Omniplex & The Bob Arrington Rodeo Arena // Okmulgee, OK
June 28            Billy Bob’s // Fort Worth, TX
July 4              Freedom Over Texas // Houston, TX
July 10            Weldon Mills Theatre // Roanoke Rapids, NC
July 11            Paramount Center for the Arts // Bristol, TN
July 12            Country Concert 2025 // Fort Loramie, OH
July 17            Kresge Auditorium // Interlochen, MI
July 18            Country Thunder Wisconsin // Twin Lakes, WI
July 19            The Amp at Log Still // Gethsemane, KY
July 24            River Run Day Lodge // Ketchum, ID
July 25            Night in the Country Nevada 2025 // Yerington, NV
July 28            Uptown Theatre Napa // Napa, CA
July 29            Cascade Theatre // Redding, CA
July 31            Spokane Live // Airway Heights, WA
Aug. 1             Happys Inn // Libby, MT
Aug. 2             Big Valley Jamboree // Camrose, AB
Aug. 7             WE Fest // Detroit Lakes, MN
Aug. 8             Bourbon Theatre // Lincoln, NE
Aug. 13           Put In Bay // Put-In-Bay, OH
Aug. 15           Country Thunder Alberta // Calgary, AB
Aug. 22           MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre // Tampa, FL with Little Big Town
Aug. 23           The Wharf Amphitheater // Orange Beach, AL with Little Big Town
Sept. 5             First National Bank Arena // Jonesboro, AR with Dwight Yoakam
Sept. 6             Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater // Lampe, MO with Dwight Yoakam
Sept. 12           Point of the Bluff Vineyards // Hammondsport, NY
Sept. 13           Spyglass Ridge Winery // Sunbury, PA
Sept. 14           Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre // East Meadow, NY
Sept. 26           Grand Ole Opry: Live in London at Royal Albert Hall // London, U.K.
Oct. 3              McKnight Center for the Performing Arts // Stillwater, OK
Oct. 4              Stars Over Texas Music Festival 2025 // Ennis, TX
Nov. 7             Tuacahn Amphitheatre // Ivins, UT

Whiskey Myers Preview 9/26 Album 'Whomp Whack Thunder' with "Tailspin," Out Now

June 9, 2025

Acclaimed Southern rockers Whiskey Myers continue to turn up the heat with the release of “Tailspin,” the second track from their highly anticipated seventh album, Whomp Whack Thunder, due Sept. 26 via the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records and available for preorder now. Listen Below.

Following the adrenaline-fueled lead single “Time Bomb,” the multi-Platinum independent band keeps the pedal down with “Tailspin,” a scorching track that captures the band’s signature swagger, blending gritty guitars, pounding rhythms and unflinching lyrics: I was cruising for a little while, but now I’m in a tailspin / If I’m going out, I’m going out in style / I’m headed for the bottom again.

Equal parts anthem and confession, “Tailspin” delivers a raw portrayal of life in freefall – chasing relief, clinging to vices and hoping for a parachute on the way down. The track’s unfiltered energy and hard-driving instrumentation showcase Whiskey Myers at their most urgent and unapologetic, further previewing what fans can expect on the forthcoming album.

Born from the piney woods of East Texas and shaped in the soul of Nashville during an immersive three weeks with renowned producer Jay Joyce – known for bringing edge, atmosphere and unpredictability to every project (Eric Church, Cage the Elephant, Halestorm, Lainey Wilson) – Whomp Whack Thunder is a strong statement from the genre-defying six piece.

“We didn’t set out to chase a specific sound – we set out to make a Whiskey Myers record,” shared lead guitarist John Jeffers when announcing the project. “Jay pulled something out of us that’s raw and real, and every track’s got a piece of our story in it. This album’s about where we’ve been, what we’ve lived and the scars we earned along the way – and I think Whomp Whack Thunder might just be our most fearless album yet.”

Whomp Whack Thunder is the sound of a band at the height of its powers, marrying Southern swagger with arena-sized rock and soul-searching songwriting. Frontman Cody Cannon penned all 11 tracks solo, delivering stories that hit with the emotional weight of lived experience and the firepower of the band’s signature sound. From the breakneck energy of “Tailspin” to the introspective grit of “Icarus” and the raucous stomp of “Ramblin’ Jones,” it’s a record born of the road and shaped by nearly two decades of defiant, grassroots momentum.

The album features the full force of the band – Cannon (vocals, guitar), Jeffers (guitar), Cody Tate (guitar), Jamey Gleaves (bass), Jeff Hogg (drums) and Tony Kent (percussion, piano) – with Joyce also contributing keys, organ and guitar, crafting a sonic landscape that stretches from greasy blues-rock riffs to gospel-tinged country soul.

Ahead of the fall release, fans can catch early previews of the new music on the What We Were Born To Do Tour, kicking off today, June 6 and hitting cities across the U.S. throughout the summer. Whiskey Myers also co-headlines 14 dates of the Live in 25 Tour with Tedeschi Trucks Band later this year in addition to headlining their own personally curated Moon Crush “Whiskey Moon” music vacation taking over Miramar Beach, Fla. Nov. 7-9.

For more information, visit whiskeymyers.com and follow on social media @WhiskeyMyers.

Upcoming Whiskey Myers Tour Dates
What We Were Born To Do Tour
June 6  ||  Des Moines, Iowa  || Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park
June 7  ||  La Vista, Neb.  ||  The Astro
June 8  ||  Rapid City, S.D.  ||  The Monument – Summit Arena
June 10  ||  Bonner, Mont.  ||  KettleHouse Amphitheater
June 12  ||  Fargo, N.D.  ||  Scheels Arena
June 13  ||  Prior Lake, Minn.  ||  Mystic Lake Casino Hotel – Mystic Amphitheater
June 14  ||  Gary, Ind.  ||  Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
June 15  ||  Interlochen, Mich.  ||  Interlochen Center for the Arts – Kresge Auditorium
June 23  ||  Pittsburgh, Pa.  ||  Stage AE
June 25  ||  Johnson City, Tenn.  ||  Freedom Hall Civic Center
June 26  ||  Evansville, Ind.  ||  Ford Center
July 12  ||  Kansas City, Mo.  ||  Starlight Theater
July 17  ||  Macon, Ga.  || Atrium Health Amphitheater
July 18  ||  Birmingham, Ala.  ||  Coca-Cola Amphitheater
July 19  ||  Nashville, Tenn.  ||  Ascend Amphitheater
July 20  ||  Salem, Va.  ||  Salem Civic Center
July 22  ||  Manteo, N.C.  ||  Roanoke Island Festival Park
July 24  ||  Charlotte, N.C.  ||  Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
July 25  ||  Virginia Beach, Va.  ||  Virginia Beach Dome
July 26  ||  Richmond, Va.  ||  Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront
July 27  ||  Cherokee, N.C.  ||  Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
Aug. 16  ||  Highland, Calif.  ||  Yaamava' Theater
Aug. 27  ||  Toledo, Ohio  ||  Toledo Zoo & Aquarium – Amphitheater
Sept. 18  ||  Jonesboro, Ark.  ||  First National Bank Arena
Sept. 19  ||  Alexandria, La.  ||  Laborde Earles Coliseum
Sept. 20  ||  Brandon, Miss.  ||  Brandon Amphitheater
Sept. 25  ||  Austin, Texas  ||  Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Greenway
Sept. 26  ||  Oklahoma City, Okla.  ||  Paycom Center
Sept. 27  ||  The Woodlands, Texas. ||  The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Oct. 9 ||  Chattanooga, Tenn.  || Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
Oct. 10 ||  Greensboro, N.C.  ||  White Oak Amphitheatre at Greensboro Coliseum Complex

Live in 25 Tour with Tedeschi Trucks Band
Aug. 7  ||  Bend, Ore.  ||  Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Aug. 8  ||  Bend, Ore.  ||  Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Aug. 9  ||  Quincy, Wash.  ||  The Gorge Amphitheatre
Aug. 12  ||  Berkeley, Calif.  ||  The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley
Aug. 13  ||  Los Angeles, Calif.  ||  The Greek Theatre
Aug. 15  ||  Stateline, Nev.  ||  Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys
Aug. 18  ||  Phoenix, Ariz.  ||  Arizona Financial Theatre
Aug. 19  ||  Albuquerque, N.M.  ||  Isleta Amphitheater
Aug. 23  ||  Noblesville, Ind.  ||  Ruoff Music Center
Aug. 24  ||  St. Louis, Mo.  ||  Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 26  ||  Cincinnati, Ohio  ||  Riverbend Music Center
Aug. 28  ||  Syracuse, N.Y.  ||  Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
Aug. 29  ||  Vienna, Va.  ||  Wolf Trap
Aug. 30  ||  Vienna, Va.  ||  Wolf Trap
Sept. 1  ||  Gilford, N.H.  ||  BankNH Pavilion

Additional Dates
June 27  ||  South Greenfield, Mo.  ||  Baker-Spain Stampede
June 28  ||  Carrolton, Texas  ||  LIV Golf Dallas
Oct. 11  ||  North Charleston. S.C.  ||  Riverfront Revival Music Festival
Nov. 7-9  ||  Miramar Beach, Fla.  ||  Moon Crush “Whiskey Moon”

About Whiskey Myers
Genre-bending band Whiskey Myers have played nearly 3,000 live shows to ever-increasing crowd sizes since their emergence in 2007. In addition to headlining their own sold-out shows from coast to coast at iconic venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Ryman Auditorium, plus performing at marquee festivals Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, Download and more, the six-piece was also personally selected to open The Rolling Stones’ Chicago stadium show. The band is poised to begin their next chapter with their highly-anticipated seventh studio album Whomp Whack Thunder arriving Sept. 26 via the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records, with lead single “Time Bomb” available everywhere now. Their previous project, Tornillo, featured the No. 17 most-played Americana song of 2022, “John Wayne,” and followed breakthrough album Whiskey Myers, which debuted at No. 1 on both the Country and Americana/Folk sales charts, at No. 2 on the Rock chart and No. 6 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart (No. 3 among new releases). In total, Whiskey Myers have sold more than 2.5 million albums and amassed over 3.7 billion streams while earning nine RIAA Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum certifications as an independent band. Known for their high-energy live show and unique sound, the band praised by Esquire as “the real damn deal” has also earned sync success with features in Paramount’s hit shows “Yellowstone” (including an on-screen performance) and “Landman,” plus Netflix series “What/If,” Angelina Jolie film “Those Who Wish Me Dead” and CBS series “SEAL Team,” among others. USA Today describes their sound as “a riff-heavy blend of Southern rock and gritty country that has earned comparisons to the Allman Brothers Band and Led Zeppelin,” with Rolling Stone noting “it’s the seminal combination of twang and crunchy rock & roll guitars that hits a perfect sweet spot.”

Leslie Cohea Joins WME's Nashville Office

June 5, 2025

WME kicked off CMA Music Fest Week with their annual Losers Live free outdoor concert on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, spotlighting the agency's talent and celebrating the return of one of country music’s biggest weeks. Amid the festivities, veteran music executive Leslie Cohea stopped by WME’s Nashville office to greet her new colleagues ahead of officially joining the team as Partner and Music Touring Executive. Cohea brings two decades of touring experience from her roles at Sandbox Entertainment and AEG Presents, where she helped shape the careers of Kacey Musgraves, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini and Little Big Town, and played a key role in landmark tours including Soul2Soul and The Judds: The Final Tour. She officially joins the company on July 14.

L to R: Joey Lee, Becky Gardenhire, Leslie Cohea and Jay Williams | Photo Credit: Jon Plarr (WME)

“Darius And Friends” Brings Together Tyler Braden, Luke Bryan, Kashus Culpepper, Lanie Gardner, Morgan Wallen & Austin Williams for St. Jude

June 4, 2025

Nearly two decades after first visiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® where he was immediately inspired to pledge his support, three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Darius Rucker continues to give back. With this year’s 16th annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert sold out well in advance despite the surprise guests not being revealed until they took the stage, the unofficial kickoff to CMA Fest featured dozens of hit songs, unreleased music and beloved covers by Rucker and his friends Tyler Braden, Luke Bryan, Kashus Culpepper, Lanie Gardner, Morgan Wallen and Austin Williams.

“Every time I visit St. Jude, I’m blown away. You walk in expecting it to feel heavy, but there’s so much joy, so much hope,” shared Rucker following the event yesterday, June 2. “The work they’re doing – the research, the breakthroughs – it’s incredible. But what gets me every time is knowing that families never get a bill. Not for treatment, travel, housing or food. That kind of support changes everything for these families, and I’m proud that me and my friends here tonight can be part of that.”

After a live auction and donation round which added thousands to the night’s fundraising tally, Rucker kicked off the main event with a newly written song plus a duo of fan favorite hits; his 10th and most recent No. 1 single “Beers and Sunshine” plus “Radio.” He then introduced the first friend of the evening, with rising star Austin Williams – who will join Rucker on tour this fall – taking the stage to perform his popular “90s Rap Mashup” as well as his latest single, “Crazy Over You.”

Recent Billboard Country Rookie of the Month Kashus Culpepper – also set to tour with Rucker this fall – received a standing ovation from the packed house for a set featuring his own “Southern Man” and “Pour Me Out” as well as a rousing cover of The Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See.” Appalachian singer-songwriter Lanie Gardner added heartfelt performances of “Six Feet Deep” and “Cry” as well as “Takin’ The Slow Ride” off her forthcoming EP Polaroids arriving this Friday, June 6.

As is customary at the annual event, Rucker also returned to the stage between each guest set, treating fans to hits ranging from his Country Airplay No. 1s “Alright,” “For The First Time” and “Come Back Song” to unreleased previews plus Hootie & the Blowfish hits “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You.”

“If you guys will let us,” the multi-genre star said mid-way through the evening, “me and the band would like to take us to a place we like to call the ‘90s,” as he branched out from his own catalog for crowd-pleasing covers of Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It,” TLC’s “Waterfalls” and Bell Biv DeVoe's “Poison,” also adding his take on “Valerie” as made popular by Amy Winehouse later in the evening.

Country-rock standout Tyler Braden – another of Rucker’s tourmates this fall – added to the festivities with Platinum-certified breakout “Devil You Know” and the introspective “Right on Track” off his recent full-length debut devil and a prayer, plus his take on Kings of Leon’s hit “Sex on Fire.” Rucker’s longtime friend and three-time Academy of Country Music / two-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan also brought the audience to their feet with his No. 1 hits “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” and “Play It Again” as well as “Country Song Came On,” with his tour of the same name underway now.

“We’ve hosted a charity event at my house for 5 years, and Darius Rucker – I don’t think he’s ever missed one of them,” Bryan shared from the stage. “He’s always supported me when I needed him, and I’m just glad to be here supporting him… 16 YEARS!”

The final guest of the evening gave fans at the Mother Church a rare chance to see him outside of a stadium setting, with global superstar Morgan Wallen bringing recent release “20 Cigarettes” and 6x Platinum “More Than My Hometown” to the intimate venue at a time when all 37 tracks off his latest record-shattering album, I’m The Problem, appear on the Hot Country Songs chart, occupying nearly 75% of the list in its entirety and beating his own record of 35 songs set in 2023.

“I met this kid 5 or 6 years ago at a friend’s house, and he was playing songs that blew my mind. He’s become a superstar. He’s a good friend of mine; he’s my brother,” Rucker shared when introducing Wallen, who added, “It’s an honor and a privilege to be here tonight… Thank you, Darius, for having us.”

Closing out the memorable evening, the host of the night owned the stage one final time as the show ended according to tradition, with Rucker joined by the sold-out Ryman crowd plus Culpepper, Gardner and Williams for a “Wagon Wheel” singalong, the feel-good energy throughout the auditorium symbolic of the night as a whole.

This year’s milestone fundraising event adds yet another successful page to the decade-plus history of “Darius and Friends.” Prior guests have included Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, John Daly, Dan + Shay, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Jelly Roll, Charles Kelley of Lady A, Ashley McBryde, A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Megan Moroney, Brad Paisley, Kenny Rogers and Tommy Thayer of KISS, among many others.

In addition to yesterday evening’s concert, celebrity friends Drew Baldridge, Priscilla Block, Tyler Braden, NFL Pro Bowler Randall Cobb, Travis Denning, Hannah Ellis, Walker Hayes, NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick, Tracy Lawrence, Bryce Leatherwood, Vincent Mason, Drake Milligan, Walker Montgomery, John Morgan, Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney, Restless Road’s Garrett Nichols & Colton Pack, Eric Paslay, Shane Profitt, Michael Ray, Lily Rose, Schmitty, Matt Stell, Nick Wayne, Mark Wills and Scott Wolverton joined Rucker for the corresponding golf tournament today, June 3, with the total raised across both events adding to the more than $4.3 million raised to date (2025 tally to follow once available).

The annual fundraising event, made possible with support from generous sponsors AMD and The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy, helps ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live.

This year’s “Darius and Friends” event adds to an exciting season for the multi-time Diamond-certified superstar, who is actively working on new music ahead of his Nissan Stadium CMA Fest performance this Thursday, June 5, and his Darius Rucker Live tour kicking off in July. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

For more information, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

Gustavo Mioto Signs with WME for Global Representation

June 4, 2025

Gustavo Mioto signs with WME, the world’s leading entertainment agency, becoming the first Brazilian sertanejo artist to join its international roster. Brazil now has an official representative of its country music on the global stage.

At just 27 years old, Gustavo Mioto is already one of the most consistent and respected names in the new generation of Brazilian music. With over 3.9 billion views on YouTube, 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify and multiple nationwide hits, he now enters a new chapter in his career: international expansion.

This week, Mioto signed with WME (William Morris Endeavor), becoming the first Brazilian sertanejo artist in history to join the agency’s global roster.

This milestone is more than a personal achievement — it signals a turning point for the genre itself. Mioto now takes on the role of representing Brazilian country music internationally, with a focus on expanding into Latin and North American markets.

Over the years, Gustavo Mioto has released nine albums, three DVDs and collaborated with top Brazilian artists such as Anitta, Jorge & Mateus, Fábio Jr., Mari Fernandez, Wesley Safadão, Matheus & Kauan and Menos é Mais. His original projects — like MiotoTerapia and the Atemporal tour — reflect his artistic range and modern take on sertanejo.

Now, with the support and strategy of WME, Gustavo Mioto begins a new global phase — ready to connect with new audiences while staying true to the sound that brought him here.

Photo IDs (L to R): Rob Markus, Marcos Mioto, Cesar Figueiredo, Gustavo Mioto, Shannon Saunders, Nate Towne | Photo Courtesy of WME

Churchill Downs Hosts Inaugural Erv Woolsey Memorial Race, Presented by Aces Racing, Sunday, June 15

June 2, 2025

The music industry was not the only community to mourn the passing of longtime member Erv Woolsey last year. A thoroughbred breeder and racing enthusiast, Woolsey’s love of racing spanned decades, and on Sunday, June 15, Churchill Downs is set to host the Inaugural Erv Woolsey Memorial Race Presented by Aces Racing.

“With some great partnerships and a little luck on his side, Erv was able to experience his fair share of wins,” Aces co-founder Jordan Markwell reflects of Woolsey’s long-standing passion for the sport. “In 2017, homebred filly and graded stakes winner Jordan’s Henny, trained by Mike Tomlinson, took us on a ride of a lifetime, earning a spot in the Longines 143rd Kentucky Oaks. Just 4 years later, through a partnership with longtime friend and fellow owner Keith Asmussen, Super Stock’s win in the Gr. 1 Arkansas Derby, allowed Erv to achieve his dream and what many consider the pinnacle for any horse owner involved in Thoroughbred racing, having a horse in the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby.”

One of Woolsey’s favorite places was the Stakes Room at Churchill Downs. It was in that room where you could find him chatting with friends and making new acquaintances while betting the long shots and, sometimes, even watching them win.

“Erv and I’s friendship began in 2002 and was centered around our love of horses and the sport of racing,” remembers Markwell. “Through the years we had so much fun watching his horses compete at tracks across the country, typically with a bottle of Cutty Sark and a pink bottle of Ace of Spades champagne in tow, yet it was always Churchill Downs where so many memories were made.”

Woolsey loved racing, he loved the competition, yet more than anything he loved the animals, the people and the friendships forged through racing. He was able to share his love and knowledge of the industry with people who may otherwise not have been exposed to the sport. These values were the benchmark that led to the decision behind recognizing his indelible mark on the industry and honoring his legacy with the establishment of Aces Racing.

Co-founded by Markwell and Ashley Lamb in 2024 in partnership with Woolsey’s longtime trainer Mike Tomlinson, Aces Racing’s goal is to carry on his legacy, love of racing, and thoroughbred aftercare by building a brand founded in bringing people together, spreading knowledge, having fun and cultivating lasting relationships around the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

Race information:
Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
Sunday, June 15th.
The gates open at 11:30 a.m (ET)., the first race is at 12:45p.m (ET).
Erv Woolsey Memorial Presented by Aces Racing will be race 8, with a post time of 4:23pm (ET).

To book space at the race, visit www.gofevo.com/group/Ervwoolseymememorialrace. A portion of proceeds benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

The race will be broadcast on TwinSpires.com and FanDuel TV.

Music Row for MusiCares: A Jody Williams Songs Takeover Lights Up Chief’s on July 27

June 2, 2025

A special evening of songs and stories is set to shine on Broadway this summer as Music Row for MusiCares: A Jody Williams Songs Takeover, presented by the Eric Church Band and Corient, lights up Chief’s on Broadway on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The Eric Church Band (Jeff Cease, Lee Hendricks, Jeff Hyde, John Henry Trinko, Driver Williams, Craig Wright, Joanna Cotten) has organized a cast of some of Nashville’s most dynamic and acclaimed songwriters for a powerful evening of music, storytelling and giving back.

Leading the lineup is Big Machine Records recording artist Jackson Dean (“Don’t Come Lookin’,” “Heaven’s To Betsy”) who will perform along with celebrated Jody Williams Songs writers Driver Williams (“Smoke A Little Smoke,” “Hang Tight Honey”, “Heaven’s To Betsy”), Jason Nix (“Hang Tight Honey,” “Things A Man Oughta Know”) and Jeremy Spillman (“Sinners Like Me,” “Bad Mother Trucker”), plus artists Emily Ann Roberts, Harper O’Neill, Peytan Porter and Andy Austin, along with other very special surprise guests. Collectively, their work has shaped the sound of modern country music, with hits recorded by Eric Church, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Keith Urban and many more.

Ticket proceeds will benefit MusiCares, a nonprofit that provides vital health and human services to members of the music community.

Since 2012, the Eric Church Band has helped raise more than $3 million through its annual ECB Golf Tournament and Auction, with proceeds benefiting MusiCares. Music Row for MusiCares is a continuation of that mission, extending the band’s legacy of philanthropy and deep connection to the songwriting community.

Members of The Church Choir, Church’s passionate fanbase, can purchase tickets June 4 at 12pm CST. The public on-sale will follow on Friday, June 6 at 12pm CST, with ticket prices starting at $25. There will also be a limited number of pre-show VIP Meet & Greet Experience ticket upgrades available.

About MusiCares
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based, independent 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org

About Jody Williams Songs
Since launching in 2020, Jody Williams Songs has become one of Nashville’s most respected independent music publishers by championing a diverse roster of songwriters, writer-artists and writer-producers. With a “song forward” philosophy that honors the legacy of timeless songwriting, the company is committed to developing music that is high-quality, current and creatively distinctive. By embracing individuality and prioritizing originality over redundancy, Jody Williams Songs continues to shape the future of music—wherever it’s headed. JWS represents songwriters Andy Austin, Ashley McBryde, Driver Williams, Ed Williams, Emily Ann Roberts, Harper O’Neill, Jason Nix, Jeremy Spillman, Natalie Hemby, Peytan Porter and Vince Gill. For more information, visit JodyWilliamsSongs.co.

About Corient
Corient Private Wealth LLC is a fiduciary, fee-only national wealth management firm providing comprehensive solutions to ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individual and institutional clients. We combine the personal service, creativity and objective advice of a boutique with the power of experienced advisors, extensive capabilities and custom-built strategies to create a differentiated wealth experience. We focus on exceeding expectations, simplifying lives and establishing lasting legacies. Corient is distinguished by its private partnership model, which fosters collaboration and the shared vision of delivering client excellence. As of March 31, 2025, we have more than 260 partners and over 1,300 employees serving clients across the United States. Headquartered in Miami, Corient is a subsidiary of CI Financial Corp.(TSX: CIX), a global asset and wealth management company. For more information, visit us at corient.com or LinkedIn.

About Chief’s
Chief’s is a six-story bar, restaurant and live music venue designed to celebrate Eric Church’s ever-expanding musical legacy. Located in historic downtown Nashville, Chief features a ticketed music venue, inspirational interiors and a thoughtful focus on unique live performances, offering fans an unparalleled entertainment experience in Music City. Chief’s houses a studio for live broadcasting, inclusive of Church’s Outsiders Radio SiriusXM channel, with the capability of hosting broadcasts by various media partners. Chief’s also features a restaurant partnership with James Beard Award Winning Pitmaster Rodney Scott. Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ overlooks downtown with its ‘Hell of a Q’ rooftop offering. Situated at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Broadway, Chief’s is now open at 200 Broadway.

Hawaiian Singer-Songwriter Maoli Signs with WME for Global Representation

June 2, 2025

Hawaiian singer-songwriter Maoli has signed with WME for global representation across all areas.

A breakout voice fusing island reggae, country soul and Polynesian pride, Maoli is redefining genre lines with a sound all his own. Maoli has amassed over half a billion global streams across nine independent albums, carving out a nearly 15-year career as a beloved performer across the global stage, from the US to the Pacific Islands and Australia.

“Signing with WME is a massive step forward, not just for me, but for everything I represent,” said Maoli. “It’s always been my kuleana – my responsibility – to share the spirit and sound of Hawaii with the world. I’m beyond grateful to take that mission even further with a team that truly understands the vision.”

“Maoli is a singular talent whose music effortlessly blends the heartbeat of the islands with the soul of country,” said WME’s Chris Hrovat. “His authenticity, passion and cross-genre appeal are undeniable. We’re thrilled to welcome him to WME and can’t wait to help take his music to new audiences worldwide.”

A veteran of the road, Maoli recently headlined a sold-out show at Navigation Homes Stadium in New Zealand (12,000 capacity), just before returning to the U.S. mainland for a string of sold-out dates on his Last Sip of Summer Tour. His ongoing tour will hit such venues as The Greek in Los Angeles on July 17 and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on August 9. The Last Sip of Summer album, produced in Nashville by the legendary Dann Huff and David Huff, is set to release June 27, 2025, and marks his tenth studio project in 17 years.

Inspired by the likes of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and George Strait, along with traditional Hawaiian music – the birthplace of steel guitar – Maoli’s sonic journey began with roots-reggae and island pop. But a transformative moment in Texas in 2018 sparked a deeper connection to country music, one built on shared values, swaying melodies and simple-life storytelling. Since then, he has become a compelling bridge between two musical cultures, captivating audiences with his rangy, sand-and-soul vocals and emotionally charged covers like Brett Young’s “Mercy” and “In Case You Didn’t Know,” which have amassed more than 28 million Spotify streams combined.

As country music continues to expand its international footprint, Maoli is a defining voice, blending cultures and genres into something unmistakably his own.

Maoli is represented by Jason Gibbs, Shawn Dailey and Emilie Glover at Red Light Management.

For more information, visit www.maolimusic.com.

WME Presents LOSERS LIVE, June 2-4

June 2, 2025

WME is once again kicking off CMA Fest Week with Losers Live, a free, three-night outdoor concert series at Losers Bar & Grill in Midtown. Featuring an exciting mix of country icons, chart-toppers and rising stars, the event will run Monday, June 2 through Wednesday, June 4, with doors opening at 5 PM each night.

The 2025 series begins on Monday, June 2, with platinum-selling country mainstay Rodney Atkins taking the stage to get the week started. The show also includes Travis Denning, Matt Stell, Dillon Carmichael, Payton Smith, Mae Estes, Frank Ray, CeCe, Will Jones and Payton Howie. On Tuesday, June 3, the hits keep coming with a powerhouse lineup of country favorites, including Lee Brice, Craig Morgan, Mark Wills, Timmy McKeever, Kaitlin Butts, Meghan Patrick, Logan Crosby, Myles Morgan, Bottomland and multi-genre, Grammy Award winner Colbie Caillat.

Wednesday, June 4 rounds out the series with an eclectic and high-energy mix featuring Easton Corbin, Priscilla Block, Bryan Martin, Cole Goodwin, Skeez, Ian Harrsion, Timothy Wayne – with more artists to be announced in the coming days.

Presented by WME, Losers Live is free and open to the public, offering fans a chance to see some of Country music’s best and brightest in an intimate outdoor setting right in the heart of Midtown Nashville.

About WME:
WME is the world’s preeminent talent agency. With over 125 years of experience, WME enables artists, athletes and brands to grow their businesses, leverage the full potential of their intellectual property and bring projects to life that define the cultural landscape. WME’s expertise spans books, comedy, digital media, fashion, film, food, licensing, music, sports, television, theater and more.  Headquartered in Beverly Hills, WME’s office locations include Australia, Chicago, China, London, Miami, Nashville and New York. WME is part of WME Group, a global network of businesses that represent the world’s leading talent, intellectual property and brands. For more information, please visit www.wmeagency.com.

Morgan Wallen Celebrates U.K. No. 1 Album w/ Intimate London Set

May 31, 2025

Performing to just 2,000 fans in an intimate set with tickets claimed in less than a minute upon entry, Morgan Wallen’s I’m The Problem album release show at The Roundhouse in London on May 28 rounded out a historic week that saw Wallen attain his first U.K. No. 1 debut on the Official Charts.

Playing center-stage in a stripped-back set with his guitar – which Holler remarked as "spellbinding," while Entertainment Focus opined the superstar is “at the top of his game” – Wallen’s 19-song setlist included 12 songs hailing from I’m The Problem, kicking off with the title track, which recently became his 18th No. 1 at Country radio. From there, Wallen delved into live debuts of story song “20 Cigarettes,” the Billboard-dubbed “confessional” “Eyes Are Closed” and his reigning Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, “What I Want.”

Performing an early release from the album, “Superman,” Wallen shared the heartfelt story behind the song he penned for his son: “I’ve been trying pretty much ever since he was born to write a song that was good enough to dedicate to him. I probably wrote 30 songs that weren’t good enough, so we scratched them. Right before we were getting ready to turn in this record, we started writing this song. Usually once we write a song, I’ll get Charlie to send me the demo so I can listen to it on my way home. He sent this to me…The very first time I heard it back after writing it, I just broke down and was crying. And that’s the first time I had done that writing a song for my little boy. I figured if it touched me that way, hopefully it would touch a lot of you guys the same way.”

Sprinkled throughout the set were multi-platinum hits from his previous two albums, Dangerous: The Double Album and One Thing At A Time, including Platinum-certified “Cowgirls;” 2x-Platinum “Sand In My Boots,” 4x-Platinum “Cover Me Up;” 6x-Platinum “More Than My Hometown;” and 9x-Platinum “Whiskey Glasses.” Wallen concluded the night with his 7x-Platinum, 16 week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, “Last Night.”

Taking in the magnitude of his growing international fanbase, Wallen thanked his fans, stating “We've been trying to make a connection with you guys, and this is by no means a measure of all successes, but I think it says a lot; whenever I dropped One Thing At A Time, it debuted at No. 40 over here. I just dropped I'm the Problem, and thanks to you guys, it debuted at No. 1. I really appreciate every single one of y'all. I thank you for making me feel welcome in your country, and for having the same kind of love for country music and just music in general. It means a lot to me to be able to say what I just said.”

I’m The Problem debuted last week at No. 1 across seven countries. In the U.S., Wallen broke his own record for most simultaneous entries in Billboard Hot 100 history, with 37 songs charting at once. He also currently occupies the No. 1, 2 and 3 slots simultaneously with his duet with Tate McRae “What I Want,” “Just In Case,” and the title track “I’m The Problem,” respectively – becoming the first country artist ever to do so.

Wallen’s coinciding 2025 I’m The Problem Tour kicks off June 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The 20-show run will include stops in Seattle, Washington; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Toronto, Ontario and more. With a second stop added in Madison, Wisconsin, Wallen’s appearances will mark the first time an artist has played two consecutive nights at Camp Randall Stadium.

A rotating lineup of guests including Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Koe Wetzel join in direct support with Gavin Adcock, Corey Kent, Ella Langley and Anne Wilson as first-of-three across select dates. Coupled with May’s Sand In My Boots Festival and a special one-night-only album release celebration show at Roundhouse in London in May, these 22 shows are the only place to see the superstar in 2025.

Morgan Wallen 2025 I’m The Problem Tour Dates:
June 20 // NRG Stadium // Houston, TX w/ Corey Kent and Koe Wetzel
June 21 // NRG Stadium // Houston, TX w/ Corey Kent and Koe Wetzel
June 28 // Camp Randall Stadium // Madison, WI w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
June 29 // Camp Randall Stadium // Madison, WI w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
July 11 // Hard Rock Stadium // Miami Gardens, FL w/ Gavin Adcock and Miranda Lambert
July 12 // Hard Rock Stadium // Miami Gardens, FL w/ Gavin Adcock and Brooks & Dunn
July 18 // State Farm Stadium // Glendale, AZ w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
July 19 // State Farm Stadium // Glendale, AZ w/ Ella Langley and Brooks & Dunn
July 25 // Lumen Field // Seattle, WA w/ Anne Wilson and Miranda Lambert
July 26 // Lumen Field // Seattle, WA w/ Anne Wilson and Brooks & Dunn
Aug 1 // Levi’s Stadium // Santa Clara, CA w/ Anne Wilson and Miranda Lambert
Aug 2 // Levi’s Stadium // Santa Clara, CA w/ Anne Wilson and Brooks & Dunn
Aug 15 // Huntington Bank Field // Cleveland, OH w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
Aug 16 // Huntington Bank Field // Cleveland, OH w/ Ella Langley and Thomas Rhett
Aug 22 // Gillette Stadium // Foxborough, MA w/ Corey Kent and Miranda Lambert
Aug 23 // Gillette Stadium // Foxborough, MA w/ Corey Kent and Miranda Lambert
Sep 4 // Rogers Centre // Toronto, ON w/ Gavin Adcock and Miranda Lambert
Sep 5 // Rogers Centre // Toronto, ON w/ Gavin Adcock and Brooks & Dunn
Sep 12 // Commonwealth Stadium // Edmonton, AB w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
Sep 13 // Commonwealth Stadium // Edmonton, AB w/ Ella Langley and Brooks & Dunn

About Morgan Wallen:
Morgan Wallen sets the pace in, and beyond, country music – with Billboard calling him “the biggest country star in the world” and The New York Times doubling down, declaring he’s “one of the biggest stars in pop, period.” With 18 No. 1 singles at Country radio, 19 Billboard Music Awards to-date, more than 170 weeks spent atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart (the most in country music history), the highest selling country tour under his belt and more, Wallen has propelled country music to a global level in less than five years. As Las Vegas Review Journal puts it: “Wallen’s appeal is remarkable as it is fueled by his ability to connect to a crowd.”

With Dangerous: The Double Album, Wallen solidified his place as country music’s “dominant superstar,” with the project recently being named Billboard’s No. 1 Album of the 21st Century. One Thing At A Time’s groundbreaking success saw Wallen’s crossover appeal reach a global scale, as he topped the Australian ARIA charts for the first time, along with a host of other accolades. With three No. 1’s already hailing from his fourth studio album, I’m The Problem, available now via Big Loud / Mercury, Wallen digs even deeper, uncovering a side that’s both more vulnerable and more resolute than ever before.

As Wallen prepares a refreshed setlist for his 20-stadium-show I’m the Problem Tour, kicking off on June 20 in Houston, Texas, he also highlighted some of his favorite artists by bringing the personally-curated, multi-genre Sand In My Boots Music Festival to Gulf Shores, Alabama in May.

Wallen continues to donate a portion of every ticket sold to his Morgan Wallen Foundation — which supports youth music and athletic programs and gives communities access to essentials in times of crisis. More at MorganWallen.com.

The Archives Nashville Returns for Second Annual Artist Closet Sale at CMA Fest

May 29, 2025

The Archives Nashville, a premium digital archiving and storage company specializing in musicians’ wardrobes, will host the second annual Artist Closet Sale during this year’s CMA Fest, running June 5-8 and providing fans an exclusive opportunity to shop their favorite artists’ closets. A portion of the proceeds will support the CMA Foundation’s mission to provide students with access to high-quality music education and equip educators with the resources needed to sustain thriving programs.

The Artist Closet Sale will be held at Fan Fair X, located in Nashville’s Music City Center, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, with this year’s activation occupying double the space of last year’s Closet Sale which raised over $30,000 for the CMA Foundation. Fans will have the chance to browse and purchase wardrobe items from a star-studded lineup including Lauren Akins, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, ERNEST, Riley Green, Tyler Hubbard, Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney, Thomas Rhett, Jelly Roll, Alana Springsteen and Bailey Zimmerman.

“We are excited to bring this unique shopping experience back to CMA Fest and support the CMA Foundation’s incredible work,” shares The Archives founder and longtime celebrity stylist Tiffany Gifford. “Fans will again have the chance to own a piece of their favorite artists’ wardrobe while contributing to a cause that nurtures the next generation of musicians and educators.”

With the vast wardrobe that musicians acquire over the years, Gifford realized there were no viable wardrobe archiving solutions, so she created The Archives to help clients not only store their wardrobe safely and securely, but to offer a digital solution to keep all things organized, searchable and accessible to her clients and their respective teams. The Archives functions by taking inventory and digital photos of the desired wardrobe to be archived, giving teams the option to store pieces in their facilities or integrate their system into current storage locations. RFID tracking technology programmed into each piece allows for tracking movement of each garment with the online inventory showing all pieces and their location while allowing movement as needed.

Clients are able to see specific movement of wardrobe between closets to take current inventory in case of loss or damage; ensure proper storage of all garments and accessories to preserve valuable and noteworthy pieces; quickly search and filter wardrobe from garment attributes, events worn, and style details; more easily curate garment displays for museums and private companies or personal showings; and monetize select pieces by making them available for rent through the platform.

For more information, please visit TheArchivesNashville.com and follow on Instagram @thearchivesnashville.

Larry Fleet Releases the Groove-Filled "Like You Used To"

May 29, 2025

Country hitmaker Larry Fleet is back with a brand-new single and even more chances for fans to catch him live. The blues-tinged “Like You Used To” finds Fleet searching for answers on a fading love that once burned with passion. Listen Below.

Co-written by Fleet with Jamie Moore and Ernest K., the mid-tempo groove leans into warm country soul as Fleet reflects on the little things that once made love feel electric – and how to bring that spark back.

“We’ve all been in that relationship where the fire cools off a bit, and you start looking back, wondering where the spark went,” said Fleet. “That’s what ‘Like You Used To’ is about – but it’s got a groove, and I think a lot of folks will connect with this.”

“Like You Used To” follows Fleet’s “Hard Work & Holy Water” and his recent release “A Lotta Women,” a heartfelt tribute to the kind of steady love that holds it all together – both of which showcase the blue-collar ethos and emotional honesty that define his sound.

And fans will have even more chances to hear these tracks live, as Fleet expands his Hard Work & Holy Water Tour with 25 new U.S. dates running through the end of 2025.

Fleet will first take his soulful mix of country, R&B and Southern rock overseas, kicking off the international leg of the tour in Glasgow, Scotland on August 20, followed by shows across the U.K., Belgium and the Netherlands.

Returning stateside, Fleet heads right to the heartland on September 11 in Shipshewana, Indiana, launching a coast-to-coast trek from Georgia to California, with dates extending through December 12 in Las Vegas. On most nights, fans will enjoy a double shot of Fleet – opening with an acoustic set before returning with his full band for the main show. Rising duo The Kruse Brothers will join select West Coast dates.

Fleet’s recent run of sold-out shows and expanding global footprint underscores a breakout chapter in the making. As Billboard praises, he’s an artist who “delves into blues, rock and retro-country with ease,” and with every new release, he proves there’s no substitute for the real thing.

For more information, visit LarryFleet.com.

See Larry Fleet Live:
Aug. 20, 2025 || Glasgow, UK || SWG3
Aug. 22, 2025 || Camden, UK || Electric Ballroom
Aug. 23, 2025 || Bottesford, UK || The Long Road Festival
Aug. 26, 2025 || Belfast, UK || Limelight 1
Aug. 28, 2025 || Dublin, Ire. || The Academy, Middle Abbey Street
Aug. 30, 2025 || Den Haag, Netherlands || Once In A Blue Moon Festival
Sept. 11, 2025 || Shipshewana, IN, USA || Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
Sept. 12, 2025 || Des Moines, IA, USA || Val Air Ballroom
Sept. 13, 2025 || Burnsville, MN, USA || Buck Hill Ski & Snowboard Area
Sept. 25, 2025 || Bloomington, IL, USA || The Castle Theatre
Sept. 26, 2025 || Wisconsin Dells, WI, USA || Crystal Grand Music Theatre
Oct. 2, 2025 || High Point, NC, USA || Cohab Space
Oct. 3, 2025 || Gainesville, GA, USA || Boot Barn Hall - Gainesville
Oct. 4, 2025 || Douglas, GA, USA || Martin Centre
Oct. 5, 2025 || Winnsboro, SC, USA || Field & Stream Music Fest
Oct. 16, 2025 || Saginaw, MI, USA || Red Room at DOW Event Center
Oct. 17, 2025 || Cleveland, OH, USA || House of Blues
Oct. 18, 2025 || Buffalo, NY, USA || Town Ballroom
Oct. 23, 2025 || Cedar Park, TX, USA || The Haute Spot
Oct. 24, 2025 || Houston, TX, USA || House of Blues
Oct. 25, 2025 || San Antonio, TX, USA || Stable Hall
Nov. 6, 2025 || Sioux City, IA, USA || Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City - Anthem
Nov. 7, 2025 || Sioux Falls, SD, USA || The District
Nov. 8, 2025 || Hays, KS, USA || Fox Theatre
Dec. 4, 2025 || Phoenix, AZ, USA || The Van Buren*
Dec. 5, 2025 || San Diego, CA, USA || House of Blues San Diego*
Dec. 6, 2025 || Sacramento, CA, USA || Ace of Spades*
Dec. 10, 2025 || Anaheim, CA, USA || House of Blue*
Dec. 11, 2025 || Bakersfield, CA, USA || The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater*
Dec. 12, 2025 || Las Vegas, NV, USA || Golden Nugget
*with special guests The Kruse Brothers

About Larry Fleet:
Tennessee-born troubadour Larry Fleet grew up on a stack of records spanning Merle Haggard, Otis Redding, Willie Nelson and Marvin Gaye. A thoughtful songwriter with a knack for a one-liner, an ear for a sturdy hook, and a powerhouse voice that strikes like a match, Fleet was working blue-collar jobs to make ends meet long before landing his recording contract with Big Loud Records. Seven years later and again working as an independent artist, the devout family man is turning heads among fans and critics as a songwriter (“Man Made A Bar” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Eric Church) alongside his own music, 2021’s tribute to the music that raised him, Stack of Records, his aptly titled 2019 debut, Workin’ Hard, 2023's Earned It, featuring the single “Things I Take For Granted,” and his first latest, 2025’s independently-released “A Lotta Women.” Saving Country Music puts it simply: “If you're looking for the future of traditional country music, then look no further.”

Kenny Chesney Delivers Blazing Show & Megan Moroney 4 Song Surprise

May 29, 2025

When Kenny Chesney, recently named Billboard’s No. 1 Country Artist of the 21st Century, pledged that his first ever residency would have surprises, moments no one saw coming and a whole lotta love, he wasn’t kidding. Having kicked off his first set of dates with duet partners and shared award-winners Kelsea Ballerini and Grace Potter, the East Tennessee songwriter/superstar kept the female energy high by welcoming good friend and Sun Goes Down Tour mate Megan Moroney to Sphere Vegas for a high chemistry, big love collaboration.

Beyond debuting Moroney’s postcards from No Shoes Nation “You Had To Be There,” which captures her journey from cheap seats to stadium opener, Moroney played her Top 5 smash “Am I Okay?,” which she performed with Chesney’s blazing hot band at Gillette Stadium. The pair reprised their romping “All The Pretty Girls,” plus Moroney’s return-to-the-set-list fave “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.”

“No one has more fun onstage than Megan Moroney,” Chesney enthused after the pair’s high velocity duets. “She doesn’t just radiate joy up there, she makes everybody want to experience the amount of fun she is clearly having. Even I want to – and don’t always – maintain that level of feeling good. She just brings it.”

Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and uber-manager Shep Gordon (Alice Cooper, Teddy Pendergrass, Ann Murray) were spotted in a decidedly animated crowd. As Chesney noted after the show, “For a Wednesday night crowd, it sure felt like Saturday night! Maybe it was Megan… Maybe we’re really getting the hang of Sphere… Or else it was just meant to be… No matter why, it was an incredible night in No Shoes Nation.”

With USA Today headlining their rave review, “Kenny Chesney delivers vibrant, visually arresting feast at Sphere Las Vegas,” they deemed the show “a technicolor wonder” and wrote, “It’s as much a concert as a sonic and visual roller-coaster ride pairing one of the most acclaimed stars of country with the evolving technological wizardry of the Sphere.” With ABC News calling this 15-show residency, “historic” and Parade opining, “Country legend leaves fans speechless during ‘absolutely unreal’ show,” Chesney is creating a show that expands what country music can contain – and delivers on all the songs that contain people’s lives.

The only country artist to be in Billboard’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the Last 25 Years for the last 15 years, Chesney joins a select group of icons and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees U2, (Grateful) Dead & Company and the Eagles, plus Phish, to play the 17,600-seat spherical venue that deploys next-generation technologies to create an absolutely immersive experience.

“I knew this was going to be incredible when I said, ‘Yes,’ when they asked me to do this, but I had no idea how awesome the experience could actually be. More than all the visuals, the dialed in sound, though, it’s getting to share this stage with a lot of people I love, including everyone in No Shoes Nation, who came to Vegas to be part of this unbelievable moment.”

Limited tickets remain for the Sphere residency at KennyChesney.com with packages available via Vibee, the official VIP Concert & Hotel Package partner for Kenny Chesney’s Live at Sphere residency, at KennyChesney.Vibee.com. All Vibee packages offer guests a choice of premium tickets including Sandbar (general admission floor) or reserved seating, a collectable laminate and lanyard, access to the No Shoes Island VIP Pool Party, exclusive Kenny Chesney curated gift bag and early access to the Guitars, Tiki Bars and a Whole Lotta Love experience on show days for crowd-free shopping on exclusive merch items, and access to a dedicated shopping lane during public hours. Vibee Hotel Packages include a two-night stay at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (The Venetian or The Palazzo) or Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

Kenny Chesney Live at Sphere Las Vegas is presented by Blue Chair Bay® Rum.

Kenny Chesney Live at Sphere Las Vegas LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN
Friday, May 30
Saturday, May 31
Wednesday, June 4
Friday, June 6
Saturday, June 7
Wednesday, June 11
Friday, June 13
Saturday, June 14

Full Lineup Revealed for Las Vegas Songwriters Festival Aug. 21-24 at Mandalay Bay

May 28, 2025

The Las Vegas Songwriters Festival presented by MGM Resorts International and Entersong Entertainment officially announced the full lineup for its premiere event taking place August 21-24, 2025 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. This unprecedented four-day celebration will bring together some of the most iconic voices behind today’s biggest hits, marking the largest gathering of hit songwriters in the destination’s history.

Featuring more than 300 No. 1 songs represented through 100 live performances across five stages at Mandalay Bay, the Las Vegas Songwriters Festival will offer fans an intimate and immersive experience to hear the stories behind the songs – told directly by the writers themselves. Performances are scheduled to begin daily at 11 a.m. with select sets to include unique collaborations, one-of-a-kind songwriter pairings, Q&A sessions and more.

Hosted by chart-topping songwriter Matt Warren (Darius Rucker, Gary Allan), the Festival was founded by Entersong’s Rob Hatch and Mike Every in partnership with MGM Resorts.

The all-star lineup includes select shows hosted by event partner, The Bluebird Café. These special performances will feature songwriters “in-the-round” at the intimate House of Blues B-Side venue, including:

Bob DiPiero, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee with more than 15 No. 1 hits for artists such as Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn;
Dean Dillon, legendary songwriter behind dozens of George Strait’s biggest hits and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame;
Liz Rose, GRAMMY-winning co-writer of Taylor Swift’s “Teardrops on My Guitar” and “You Belong With Me;”
Victoria Shaw, genre-spanning hitmaker of Garth Brooks’ “The River” and songs for Ricky Martin and Lady A

General admission and VIP tickets are now available. Fans also can purchase a room and ticket package at LVSF at Mandalay Bay, making the Las Vegas Songwriters Festival’s first year an ideal event and vacation getaway.

For more event information, visit LVSF.

About Mandalay Bay
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Michelob ULTRA Arena, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot convention center combine to make Mandalay Bay a captivating Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite W Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll free at (877) 632-7800, or find us on Instagram, Facebook and X.

About Entersong Entertainment
Entersong Entertainment is a premier music event producer specializing in curating experiences that connect audiences with the music they love. From intimate performances to large-scale festivals, Entersong is passionate about celebrating the power of song and the incredible talent behind it. The Las Vegas Songwriters Festival reflects Entersong’s mission to spotlight the artistry of songwriting and create unforgettable moments for fans. Find out more at entersong.com or find us on Instagram or Facebook.

About Bluebird Café (Nashville, Tenn.)
Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe is a small but mighty venue where up-and-coming songwriters and artists build their careers and rise to fame. Over the past 43 years, the tiny room has evolved into one of the most significant music venues in the world, a room where all songwriters are welcomed and supported, from novice to established hit-makers. Artists such as Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill and Taylor Swift have had career moments along with countless hit songwriters whose music is represented on a wide range of charts. Over 80,000 people visit the venue annually; many of them because of seeing the Bluebird on television, in news pieces, The Foo Fighters’ documentary, Sonic Highways, the feature film, The Thing Called Love, or on the ABC hit drama, Nashville. The venue’s history was featured in the 2019 documentary, BLUEBIRD, available on streaming channels including iTunes and Amazon. For more information bluebirdcafe.com.

Jamey Johnson’s 2025 'The Last Honky Tonk Tour'

May 28, 2025

Award-winning country singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson will launch his 36-city headlining tour, The Last Honky Tonk Tour, on June 4 at Wichita Riverfest in Wichita, KS. Tickets are on sale now and more dates will be announced soon.

“The tour will be a lot of fun,” says Johnson. “It’s a chance for us to hang out every night, where we get to walk onstage and show off what we’ve learned over the past 20 years. This is my 20th year on the road, not counting the road gigs I did in the 10 years before that.”

The tour’s name comes from the song he recently recorded, which was the title track of the 2010 album by The Wayne Mills Band, featuring musician Jason “Rowdy” Cope on guitar. “I thought that the name sounded pretty good as a tour name – The Last Honky Tonk Tour,” he adds.

The tour title’s lyrics include, “I’ll be there when they burn the last honky tonk down/
In body, mind, and spirit, under the table, or under the ground/
The fading echoes of a barroom band might be the only sound/
I’ll be there when they burn the last honky tonk down.”

Johnson’s new recording – which was completed with producer Buddy Cannon a few weeks ago – and the tour name are in tribute to Mills and Cope, both of whom were his dear friends. Mills was murdered at a Nashville bar in 2013. Jason “Rowdy” Cope, a member of The Steel Woods who had previously been a member of Johnson’s band, died in 2021 from complications from diabetes.

“When Wayne and Rowdy got together and did that record, that song made it on my radar,” he says. “Back then, I played that song several times with Wayne. We would do it at shows. So, it is one I haven’t done in a while.

“And now Wayne’s son, Jack, is a badass guitar player. He says he learned it all from Rowdy. I don’t doubt that at all. Jack really is something else!

“I thought, ‘Man, his dad would be proud. Let’s break that song out and get Jack to play guitar on it.’ I am proud to have him playing on it.”

This is one of more than 50 new songs Johnson has recorded since releasing Midnight Gasoline, his first new solo album in 14 years, in late 2024. He will preview some of the new songs during this tour and begin releasing them later this year.

“We are going to do some of the new stuff,” Johnson adds. “We will do some of the songs from Midnight Gasoline from last year and all the years before. Whatever album you like, we will do some of those songs.

“It’s exciting to play the new songs,” he says. “I like it when people tell me they have heard the new stuff and they like it. I like it when people have something else to listen to. Sometimes it’s as simple as that.”

The Last Honky Tonk Tour Routing:
June 4, 2025  ||  Wichita, KS  ||  Wichita Riverfest
June 5, 2025  ||  Round Rock, TX  ||  Round Rock Amp
June 6, 2025  ||  Bossier City, LA  ||  Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Resort and Casino
June 7, 2025  ||  Lake Charles, LA  ||  Golden Nugget Lake Charles
June 12, 2025  ||  Warren, OH ||  Packard Music Hall
June 13, 2025 ||  Detroit, MI  ||  Aertha Franklin Amphitheater
June 14, 2025  ||  Creighton, PA || Pittsburgh Brewing Company
June 20, 2025  ||  Albuquerque, NM  ||  Isleta Resort & Casino Showroom
June 21, 2025  ||  Chandler, AZ  ||  Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
June 22, 2025  ||  Winchester, CA  ||  Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival
June 26, 2025  ||  Emigrant, MT  ||  The Old Saloon
June 27, 2025  ||  Emigrant, MT  ||  The Old Saloon
June 28, 2025  ||  Whitefish, MT  ||  Big Mountain Ranch Indian Relay Races
July 11, 2025  ||  Danville, VA  ||  The Pantheon at Caesars Virginia
July 12, 2025  ||  Somerset, KY  ||  Master Musicians Festival
July 25, 2025  ||  Franklin, OH  ||  JD Legends
July 26, 2025  ||  Franklin, OH  ||  JD Legends
August 7, 2025  ||  Webster MA  ||  Indian Ranch Amphitheatre
August 8, 2025  ||  Quakertown, PA  ||  Univest Performance Center
August 9, 2025  ||  Charles Town, WV  ||  Hollywood Casino- The Event Center
August 16, 2025  ||  Petros, TN  ||  Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary Distillery
August 23 & 24, 2025  ||  N. Charleston, SC  ||  Marcus King Family Reunion
September 5, 2025  ||  Cherokee, NC  ||  Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center
September 6, 2025  ||  Cherokee, NC  ||  Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center
September 11, 2025  ||  Hot Springs, AR  ||  Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
September 12, 2025  ||  Pryor, OK  ||  Born & Raised Festival
September 13, 2025  ||  Helotes, TX  ||  Floores Country Store
September 20, 2025  ||  New Madrid, MO  ||  New Madrid Riverfront Park
September 21, 2025  ||  Council Bluffs, IA  ||  Harrah’s Stir Cove
September 26, 2025  ||  Durant, OK  ||  Choctaw Casino
September 27, 2025  ||  Fort Worth, TX  ||  Billy Bob’s Texas
October 4, 2025  ||  Atlantic City, NJ  ||  Tropicana Atlantic City
October 5, 2025  ||  Verona, NY  ||  Turning Stone Resort Casino
October 10, 2025  ||  Biloxi, MS  ||  Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
October 17, 2025  ||  Nashville, TN  ||  Schermerhorn Symphony Center
October 18, 2025  ||  Nashville, TN  ||  Schermerhorn Symphony Center

About Jamey Johnson:
The 10-time GRAMMY nominee has been called “one of the greatest country singers of our time,” by The Washington Post. His music has garnered international acclaim and is embraced by fans of classic and contemporary country, as well as Americana and mainstream rock.

The Grand Ole Opry member is also widely regarded as one of the greatest country songwriters of his generation. He is one of only two people in the history of country music (along with Kris Kristofferson) to win two Song of the Year awards in the same year – for “Give It Away” and “In Color” – from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

A consummate storyteller, his songs have been recorded by George Strait, Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, James Otto, Joe Nichols and others. He is “a first-rate preservationist of classic country songwriting,” says The New York Times.

His 2024 album, Midnight Gasoline is a musical continuation of his last two solo studio albums, That Lonesome Song, which was certified double platinum for 2 million in sales, and the gold-certified 2010 album, The Guitar Song, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart. Rolling Stone and SPIN named The Guitar Song to their all-genre Top 5 Best Albums of the Year. (He also released a 2012 duets project, the GRAMMY-nominated Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran.)

“In Color” has received a 5X-Platinum certification for sales/streams of five million, and “High Cost of Living” was certified platinum. “Between Jennings and Jones” and “That Lonesome Song” have been certified gold for sales/streams of 500,000.

Morgan Wallen Claims No. 1 Spot on Billboard 200 and Hot 100

May 28, 2025

With Billboard calling him “one of the biggest stars in the music world right now” and The New Yorker adding “[he’s] popular on a scale that seems to circumvent genre entirely” on the heels of his fourth studio album release, Morgan Wallen’s I’m The Problem further solidifies his standing, debuting today at No. 1 globally across seven countries.

In the U.S., Wallen broke his own record for most simultaneous entries in Billboard Hot 100 history, with all 37 songs off the album charting. He also currently occupies the No. 1, 2 and 3 slots simultaneously with his duet with Tate McRae “What I Want,” “Just In Case,” and the title track “I’m The Problem,” respectively – becoming the first country artist ever to do so.

I’m The Problem became Wallen’s first No. 1 debut on the U.K.’s Official Charts, as Wallen joins a small group of elite artists including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Post Malone and Beyonce as the only artists in U.K. chart history to debut No. 1 with a country album. The feat is especially notable as One Thing At A Time previously marked Wallen’s highest debut on the chart at No. 40.

“The massive growth that we’ve seen in the UK is truly something special,” Wallen shared with Official Charts. “One Thing At A Time debuted at #40 and I’m The Problem is debuting at #1 only two years apart. I am so grateful and humbled my music is connecting in a place where we have spent time and worked to build a real and meaningful relationship with our fans there. Thank you guys so much.”

I’m The Problem additionally debuted at No. 1 across five other countries – including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Norway and Scotland – and became Wallen’s third album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, with the largest streaming week for any album in 2025 so far in both the U.S. and Canada.

Wallen’s preceding albums – Dangerous: The Double Album and One Thing At A Time – have resided in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart for more than 100 weeks each, making him the first artist ever to achieve that feat.

Dubbed a “self-examining storytelling extravaganza” by Billboard, I’m The Problem features 37 tracks, and combines Wallen’s country, cross and dirt-rock influences, underscored by collaborations with pop superstars Post Malone and Tate McRae, plus close friends Eric Church, ERNEST and HARDY. The fusion of influences left Grammy.com lauding, “[Wallen] remains as eclectic as ever, shifting easily from R&B-inflected slow jams to rough-and-ready outlaw country stomps.”

The album opens with the title track, “I’m The Problem,” a cutting double-edged confession that reveals the complexities of a relationship at its lowest point. It concludes with “I’m A Little Crazy,” a quiet, self-reflective song that looks inward while examining the world outside. As with Wallen’s other albums, his eclectic taste in music creeps into his songs. But with this album, he’s really honed his ability to integrate those influences, drawing on guitar sounds of Indie bands like The War On Drugs, country greats like Keith Whitley and hip-hop drum tracks. Between all of that, Wallen also reaches listeners on a granular level.

While Wallen co-wrote 22 of the tracks, he tapped into 49 songwriters, curating a tracklist that’s both deeply personal and resonant, viewing life events through a different lens than he’s used in the past. Hits Daily Double observes that the result is “a 37-song cycle of self-reckoning,” adding, “he doesn’t sugarcoat or make excuses.”

Wallen recently debuted seven of the album’s songs at his inaugural, self-curated and multi-genre Sand In My Boots Festival, including the title track “I’m The Problem;” the Grammy.com-praised “deceptively smooth-sounding” “Kick Myself;” “Don’t We,” declared an “arena-ready track” by Billboard; “I’m A Little Crazy,” noted as “a gorgeous paranoiac ballad” by Washington Post; “I Got Better;” “Superman” and “Just In Case.”

Wallen’s coinciding 2025 I’m The Problem Tour kicks off June 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The 20-show run will include stops in Seattle, Washington; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Toronto, Ontario and more. With a second stop added in Madison, Wisconsin, Wallen’s appearances will mark the first time an artist has played two consecutive nights at Camp Randall Stadium.

A rotating lineup of guests including Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Koe Wetzel join in direct support with Gavin Adcock, Corey Kent, Ella Langley and Anne Wilson as first-of-three across select dates. Coupled with May’s Sand In My Boots Festival and a special one-night-only album release celebration show on May 28 at Roundhouse in London, these 22 shows are the only place to see the superstar in 2025.

Morgan Wallen 2025 I’m The Problem Tour Dates:
June 20 // NRG Stadium // Houston, TX w/ Corey Kent and Koe Wetzel
June 21 // NRG Stadium // Houston, TX w/ Corey Kent and Koe Wetzel
June 28 // Camp Randall Stadium // Madison, WI w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
June 29 // Camp Randall Stadium // Madison, WI w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
July 11 // Hard Rock Stadium // Miami Gardens, FL w/ Gavin Adcock and Miranda Lambert
July 12 // Hard Rock Stadium // Miami Gardens, FL w/ Gavin Adcock and Brooks & Dunn
July 18 // State Farm Stadium // Glendale, AZ w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
July 19 // State Farm Stadium // Glendale, AZ w/ Ella Langley and Brooks & Dunn
July 25 // Lumen Field // Seattle, WA w/ Anne Wilson and Miranda Lambert
July 26 // Lumen Field // Seattle, WA w/ Anne Wilson and Brooks & Dunn
Aug 1 // Levi’s Stadium // Santa Clara, CA w/ Anne Wilson and Miranda Lambert
Aug 2 // Levi’s Stadium // Santa Clara, CA w/ Anne Wilson and Brooks & Dunn
Aug 15 // Huntington Bank Field // Cleveland, OH w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
Aug 16 // Huntington Bank Field // Cleveland, OH w/ Ella Langley and Thomas Rhett
Aug 22 // Gillette Stadium // Foxborough, MA w/ Corey Kent and Miranda Lambert
Aug 23 // Gillette Stadium // Foxborough, MA w/ Corey Kent and Miranda Lambert
Sep 4 // Rogers Centre // Toronto, ON w/ Gavin Adcock and Miranda Lambert
Sep 5 // Rogers Centre // Toronto, ON w/ Gavin Adcock and Brooks & Dunn
Sep 12 // Commonwealth Stadium // Edmonton, AB w/ Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert
Sep 13 // Commonwealth Stadium // Edmonton, AB w/ Ella Langley and Brooks & Dunn

About Morgan Wallen:
Morgan Wallen sets the pace in, and beyond, country music – with Billboard calling him “the biggest country star in the world” and The New York Times doubling down, declaring he’s “one of the biggest stars in pop, period.” With 18 No. 1 singles at Country radio, 19 Billboard Music Awards to-date, more than 170 weeks spent atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart (the most in country music history), the highest selling country tour under his belt and more, Wallen has propelled country music to a global level in less than five years. As Las Vegas Review Journal puts it: “Wallen’s appeal is remarkable as it is fueled by his ability to connect to a crowd.”

With Dangerous: The Double Album, Wallen solidified his place as country music’s “dominant superstar,” with the project recently being named Billboard’s No. 1 Album of the 21st Century. One Thing At A Time’s groundbreaking success saw Wallen’s crossover appeal reach a global scale, as he topped the Australian ARIA charts for the first time, along with a host of other accolades. With three No. 1’s already hailing from his fourth studio album, I’m The Problem, available now via Big Loud / Mercury, Wallen digs even deeper, uncovering a side that’s both more vulnerable and more resolute than ever before.

As Wallen prepares a refreshed setlist for his 20-stadium-show I’m the Problem Tour, kicking off on June 20 in Houston, Texas, he also highlighted some of his favorite artists by bringing the personally-curated, multi-genre Sand In My Boots Music Festival to Gulf Shores, Alabama in May, which sold out in less than two hours.

Wallen continues to donate a portion of every ticket sold to his Morgan Wallen Foundation — which supports youth music and athletic programs and gives communities access to essentials in times of crisis. More at MorganWallen.com.

Kenny Chesney is Billboard's No. 1 Country Artist of the 21st Century

May 27, 2025

Kenny Chesney woke up to some very outrageous news. With a landmark opening week at Sphere in Las Vegas, where he became the first country act to headline, the news broke that the soft-spoken songwriter/superstar was named Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 21st Century. Recognizing his imprint on the genre across both singles and the larger perspective of his albums, the honor comes on the heels of being a 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame Electee, alongside June Carter Cash and producer/executive Tony Brown.

“No one gets up to go the gym and expects to see news like this on their phone,” the clearly stunned Chesney said. “All I was ever trying to do was find the best possible songs, things that spoke to the heart of how No Shoes Nation lives – and then taking that music, those albums that were slices of my life out to everyone who wanted to come out, be a part of the shows, the moments and the memories we made in every city we played.”

Known for spreading positive energy through his singular rock/country hybrid, the man Wall Street Journal crowned “King of the Road” has taken the music to a whole lot of new places, from college bars to major NFL stadiums and now Sphere. Just as importantly, he’s defined the sound of coming of age, finding peace in the whirlwind pace and kicking back when it’s most needed for people living in all kinds of places across the nation.

With 33 Billboard No. 1 Country Airplay songs, more than anyone since the chart’s inception, nine all-genre Billboard 200 Albums, as well as all 17 of his 21st century albums topping their Country Albums chart, Chesney’s music has been an indelible part of what country music can contain. Enlisting duet partners Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, Grace Potter, the Wailers, P!nk and Uncle Kracker on major hits, as well as Mindy Smith, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Buffett, George Jones and Joe Walsh, Chesney’s country is an expansive place.

As Billboard’s Jim Asker noted, “Kenny Chesney rules as the No. 1 country act on Billboard’s recap of the first 25 years of the 21st century… The ranking is based on performance on the weekly is based on performance on the weekly Top Country Albums and Hot Country Songs charts from the start of 2000 through the end of 2024.

“After debuting on Billboard’s charts in December 1993 and becoming a format force by 1995, Chesney dominated the first quarter of the 21st century, landing all 17 of his No. 1s on the weekly Top Country Albums chart between 2000 and 2020. With his trademark mix of love songs and breezy beach singalongs, he also ran up 20 No. 1s (of 23 total) on Hot Country Songs in that span. Both totals are the highest among all artists in those years.”

With Heart*Life*Music, his first book, due in November of this year and available for preorder now, it’s been quite a journey. For fans of the leader of the borderless No Shoes Nation, who’ve marveled at his Sphere residency, there’s so much more to come.