Music News (4/29/26)

MusicRow Releases 2026 InCharge Issue, Russell Dickerson Graces The Cover

MusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading music industry trade publication, is proud to announce the 2026 release of its flagship print directory, InCharge.

This annual guide highlights some of the Nashville music business’ most influential industry executives. This year’s edition includes 384 profiles, accompanied by contact information, career biographies and detailed board and organizational membership affiliations.

The guide also includes a record label staff index, a company appendix and a professional categories appendix, which lists executives by their areas of expertise, including label, talent agency, management, music publishing, legal, finance, performing rights organizations and more.

“Nashville’s music industry continues to evolve. Its strength remains rooted in the people doing the hard work, building careers, developing talent and finding new ways to connect music with audiences,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “Whether inside record labels, management companies, booking agencies, publishing companies, media organizations and other segments of our community, the people on these pages are the ones who move things forward.”

Multi-Platinum chart-topper Russell Dickerson graces the cover of the 2026 InCharge issue.

The Triple Tigers recording artist burst onto the scene with a remarkable run of No. 1 hits—“Yours” (3X Platinum), “Blue Tacoma” (2X Platinum), “Love You Like I Used To” (2X Platinum), “Every Little Thing” (Platinum), “God Gave Me a Girl” and most recently the Platinum-certified “Happen to Me”—cementing his reputation as one of country music’s most consistent hitmakers. Dickerson has amassed nearly four billion career streams to date.

His sold-out live show became the driving force behind his fourth studio album, FAMOUS BACK HOME, a high-energy, confidence-fueled project that mirrors the electricity of his sold-out “RUSSELLMANIA TOUR”—now extended through 2026.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2026 InCharge issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $115, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

 

NSAI Unveils 2026 Board Of Directors

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has revealed its 2026-2027 Board. The organization recently held its first meeting with the new board, where they welcomed new members Victoria Banks and Josh Jenkins to The Music Mill. Banks and Jenkins joined 25 other leaders of the organization.

During the general election held earlier this year, nine existing board members were re-elected to begin an additional two year term, including Trannie Anderson, Steve Bogard, Chris DeStefano, J.T. Harding, Byron Hill, Jamie Moore, Liz Rose, Jenn Schott and Emily Shackelton. Additionally, Roger Brown will serve as Legislative Chair, Parker Welling as Industry Liaison, and Rhett Akins and Drew Baldridge as Artist-Writers, all for one year terms.

Kelly Archer, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Hodges, Lee Thomas Miller, Tim Nichols, Josh Osborne, Deric Ruttan, Lydia Vaughn, Troy Verges, Ben Williams, Dan Wilson and Jimmy Yeary are current board members whose terms expire in 2027.

The official officer board for the year includes Miller (President), Schott (Vice President), Brown (Legislative Chair), Welling (Industry Liaison), Nichols (Sgt.-at-Arms), Hill (Secretary) and Bogard (Treasurer). Osborne, Rose and Verges also serve as At-Large Members of the Executive Committee.

NSAI Board elections are voted on by the NSAI Professional Songwriter Membership and appointments by the NSAI Board of Directors.

 

MLC Seeking Suggestions For Songwriter Candidates For Board Of Directors & Advisory Committees

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) is accepting suggestions of songwriter candidates for its Board of Directors, Dispute Resolution Committee and Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee.

Recommendations can be made here until May 26.

Under the Music Modernization Act (MMA), certain governance positions at The MLC are reserved for representatives of songwriters. The MLC will submit all recommendations it receives to the Board’s Songwriter Nominating Committee for consideration. Board and committee members sit for three-year terms and may be re-elected.

The MLC’s Board of Directors and committees meet regularly, and all meetings allow for virtual participation such that travel is not generally required. Members are expected to devote sufficient time to prepare for and participate fully in all meetings.

Music Industry Veteran Cliff Downs Passes Away

Cliff Downs, a respected music industry veteran who spent time as an artist, composer, producer and publisher, died on Friday (April 24) after a long battle with cancer. He was 72.

As part of the 1980s duo Downes & Price with vocalist Jimmy Price, Downs began his career as a pop artist signed to Atlantic Records. He released a self-titled album in 1986 featuring AOR/pop tracks.

Later, Downs found himself in Nashville, beginning what would be a successful career as a songwriter and producer with hits across pop, country, contemporary Christian and jazz. His songs were recorded by artists such as Foreigner, Wynonna, Gabby Barrett, B.J. Thomas, Paul Rodgers, Glen Campbell and jazz artist Richard Elliott.

Additionally, Downs’ scores and songs appeared in major film and TV productions including the TNT movie Red Water, David Zucker’s film An American Carol, Red Dirt Rising and network shows such as Modern Family, MacGyver, General Hospital, One Life to Live, Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless and Sunset Beach. He won an Emmy for Best Original Song for “When I Think of You” from One Life to Live and received multiple Emmy nominations and awards. Over his career, Downs’ music garnered over 1,000 television placements and was featured in promos for The Voice, American Idol, the Super Bowl, Olympics coverage and more.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel at Brentwood Baptist Church (7777 Concord Rd., Brentwood, TN 37027). Visitation will precede the service from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Downs’ honor to The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum or PR Ministries.

Category: Music News