MusicRow’s 2026 Touring & Next Big Thing Issue Features Gavin Adcock On Cover
MusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, has released its 2026 Touring & Next Big Thing Issue, with Thrivin’ Here Records/Warner Records Nashville’s Gavin Adcock on the cover.
Adcock’s album, Actin’ Up Again, was crowned the largest major-label country debut from a solo male artist released in 2024 and was the year’s top streaming major-label debut across the genre. Within less than a year, Adcock more than doubled his previous streaming record with over 25 million first week US streams on new album Own Worst Enemy, released Aug. 15, 2025. Own Worst Enemy debuted as the top new country album on the Billboard 200 Country Chart (No. 4) and top streaming new album on the Billboard 200 All-Genre Chart (No. 14) week of release. The MusicRow Awards Discovery Artist of the Year nominee has won over the hearts of both country musicians and music industry alike, leading to his New Artist of the Year nomination at the 60th ACM Awards.
Inside MusicRow‘s Touring & Next Big Thing Issue is the 12th annual Next Big Thing class of artists, consisting of Graham Barham (Sony Music Nashville/Disruptor Records), Kaitlin Butts (Republic Records), Laci Kaye Booth (Geffen Records), The Castellows (Warner Records Nashville), Kashus Culpepper (Big Loud Records), Lanie Gardner (BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records), Alexandra Kay (BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records), Braxton Keith (Warner Records Nashville), Zach John King (Sony Music Nashville), Chase McDaniel (Big Machine Records (Big Machine Label Group)), Ty Myers (RECORDS Nashville/Columbia), Emily Ann Roberts (RECORDS/Sony Music Nashville), Hudson Westbrook (River House Artists/Warner Records Nashville) and Stephen Wilson Jr. (Big Loud Records).
This issue also features the N.B.T. Industry Directory Class of 2026, which highlights rising Nashville music business professionals who are having a major impact on the industry. MusicRow’s N.B.T. Industry Directory is the first and only list of its kind. These industry members occupy important roles at their respective companies, and are on a trajectory of excellence to successfully lead the Nashville music industry into the future.
“Being named a ‘Next Big Thing’ remains more than an honor,” shares MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “It’s an acknowledgment of exceptional potential and purpose. It recognizes those rare individuals and teams who elevate their craft, inspire others, and redefine what success looks like in today’s music industry.”
The 2026 Touring & Next Big Thing Issue features a roundtable conversation with top agents including WME’s Barrett Sellers, Wasserman’s Lenore Kinder, The Neal Agency’s Brian Carothers, UTA’s Brian Hill, CAA’s Lindsey Myers and Kinkead Entertainment’s Greg Scott about the current issues and opportunities facing the live music business.
MusicRow highlights mental health visibility within the industry with a look at Hollywood & Mind’s first On Location event in Nashville. Industry executives Gina Miller and Jeanette Porcello discuss genre and equity in Music City.
Chrissy Hall, Director of Concerts for the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry House and Ascend Amphitheater, shares insights into the role of venue bookers, and Chelsae Partosan and Matt Morgan talk about life on the road as tour managers.
Single copies of MusicRow’s 2026 Touring & Next Big Thing Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $50, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
Capitol CMG Publishing Elevates Five
Pictured (L-R): Kent Draughon, Katie Barolak, David Gutekunst, Terryl Padilla & Jessica Marion
Capitol CMG Publishing, a division of Capitol Christian Music Group, has promoted five team members.
David Gutekunst has been elevated to Executive Vice President, where he will helm the publishing division and oversee all business operations and strategy across its creative, marketing and administration teams.
“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside David for two decades now and see firsthand the impact he’s had on our publishing business,” says Brad O’Donnell, President of Capitol Christian Music Group states. “He loves songs, he loves writers, he loves our staff and he loves our genre. He’s a great executive and I know he’s going to do big things in this new leadership role.”
Kent Draughon has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Administration & Operations, where he will lead key administrative functions. Katie Barolak and Terryl Padilla have been upped to Senior Director, Creative. They will co-head creative and writer development strategies, focusing on developing writer brands, making the next generation of songwriting talent and manage CCMG’s roster of writers. Jessica Marion has been elevated to VP, Marketing & Song Promotion. In her new role, she will bring her marketing expierence through her work building the Worship Together brand, to the entire publishing business, leading song promotion and audience exposure.
“I am energized for this new season at Capitol CMG Publishing and honored to lead the way,” adds Gutekunst. “Katie, Kent, Jessica, and Terryl are incredible leaders and advocates for our writers, artists, and partners. Their promotions not only position Capitol CMG Publishing for the future but also recognize a commitment to building on and empowering our internal talent.”
Max McNown Inks With Sony Music Publishing In Partnership With Tooth & Nail
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Tom Luteran (SMP), Max McNown, Tooth and Nail’s Brandon Ebel (Tooth & Nail), Rusty Gaston (SMP). (Back Row, L-R): Leslie Roberts (BMI), Caty Bier (Tooth & Nail), Greg Johnson (Columbia Records).
Max McNown has inked a global publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing Nashville in partnership with Tooth & Nail Publishing.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be joining the team at Sony Music Publishing,” shares McNown. “You can feel how much they truly care about their artists and how hard they work every day to support honest, authentic artistry. Every dream starts with a song, and Sony creates the space for those songs to grow.”
McNown has garnered over 500 Million worldwide streams to date since his 2023 breakout with “A Lot More Free,” which has been certified Platinum. His track “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)” charted earlier this year and earned a Gold certification.
“After meeting with several publishers, Max and I immediately felt at home with Sony Music Publishing,” says Brandon Ebel, Founder and President Tooth & Nail Publishing. “Their passion for Max’s music and their alignment with his long-term artistic vision made the decision clear.”
“Max is an artist whose music resonates across multiple genres and generations,” adds Tom Luteran, Sony Music Publishing Nashville Vice President, Creative A&R. “He is the type of artist whose songs will continue to make a major impact on the charts throughout his career. I couldn’t be happier to be working with this amazing, energetic, emerging superstar.”
Emily Peacock Launches Peacock Publishing And Creative Consulting
Emily Peacock. Photo: Annelise Loughead
Emily Peacock has launched Peacock Publishing and Creative Consulting.
The first signing to the publishing division will be announced next year. Additionally, Peacock will serve as a day-to-day manager for songwriters and producers and will offer a wide range of consulting services including catalog management, calendar management, pitching and A&R.
Initial clients include Shane Stevens, Danny Majic, Steve Fee and Jason Haag.
“I am so proud to be able to tailor my services to meet the personal needs of each creator and to deliver any type of targeted support they need to help them achieve their goals,” Peacock says. “I look forward to providing the highest level of care and service to my clients and to being a passionate advocate for songs and songwriters that I believe in.”
Peacock started her career working for Hall of Fame Songwriter and BMI Icon Bob DiPiero at Love Monkey Music and industry veteran Leslie T. DiPiero at Tom-Leis Music. She has also made stops at Advanced Alternative Media Inc. and Tree Vibez Music. Most recently she spent two years with Jonas Group Publishing.