Music News (5/13/26)
Date Announced For 2027 Grammy Awards, Airing On ABC, Disney+ & Hulu
The 2027 Grammy Awards will air live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 7, and will simulcast across ABC, Disney+ and Hulu. The news was confirmed today (May 12) during the Disney Upfront presentation in New York City. It was also revealed today that the 2026 CMA Awards, as well as other CMA programs, will air live on ABC and Disney+.
This year’s Grammy eligibility period is Aug. 31, 2025 – Aug. 28, 2026. Nominations will be announced ahead of the Telecast on Monday, Nov. 16, 2026.
The upcoming ceremony marks a historic shift for the organization as the 2027 Grammy Awards will be the first ceremony to air on ABC since 1972, ushering in a new era for the most celebrated night in music.
“The Grammys are all about celebrating the music that moves the world, and this moment is built on exactly that,” says Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Grammys. “This is an exciting time for us as an organization—a new home and a bold new chapter for the Grammy Awards. We’re just getting started and the best is yet to come.”
Jessie Jo Dillon Makes History With ACM Songwriter Of The Year Win
Jessie Jo Dillon. Photo: Lily Nelson
Jessie Jo Dillon has been crowned this year’s ACM Songwriter of the Year, becoming the first to win the award three times, as well as the first to do so in three consecutive years. She also remains one of only three women to ever win.
Frequent collaborator Megan Moroney called Dillon while Dillon was in a recording session at RCA Studio A with Carter Faith via FaceTime to deliver the news, “We have to celebrate because for the third year in a row, you are the ACM Songwriter of the Year!”
“I’m beside myself to have won this coveted award once, let alone three times,” shares Dillon. “I’m honored to be recognized by this community that I love so dearly. Thank you all, especially my publishers, and long live country music!”
The award adds to a momentous year for Dillon, where she has already been recognized at the 2026 CMA Triple Play Awards for penning three No. 1 songs in a calendar year (“Lies, Lies, Lies,” “Happen To Me,” “Am I Okay?). “Am I Okay?” is also up for an ACM this year for Song of the Year, while “Happen To Me” is nominated for Best Country Song at the American Music Awards. Dillon also co-wrote “Lighter” by Carin León and Jelly Roll, which will serve as the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Dillon is a three time GRAMMY nominee for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical (2024–2026), and a four time GRAMMY nominee for Best Country Song. Her recent hits include “Beautiful Things” and “Medicine” by Moroney, “Wish You Well” by Vincent Mason, “Baggage” by Kelsea Ballerini, and “Friday Night Heartbreaker” by Jon Pardi.
Riley Green Renews Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music
Pictured (L-R): Austen Adams (WCM), Riley Green, Jess Rosen (Greenberg Traurig), Jessi Vaughn Stevenson (WCM Consultant) and Phil May (WCM). Photo: Courtesy of WCM
Riley Green has renewed his global publishing deal Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville.
The release of his 2019 debut album, Different ‘Round Here, kicked off Green’s career trajectory. The project features 3x Platinum-certified “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” and 2x Platinum “There Was This Girl.” In 2020, he was crowned Best New Male Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and was named MusicRow’s Breakout Artist of the Year.
In 2024 he dropped his third studio album, Don’t Mind If I Do, which featured collaborations with Luke Bryan and Ella Langley. The collaboration with Langley, “you look like you love me,” took home Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year at the 2025 CMA Awards.
Green has kicked off this year with back-to-back No. 1 hits “Don’t Mind If I Do” featuring Langley and “Worst Way.” “Worst Way” became Green’s sixth career No. 1, and made him the first country music artist to achieve consecutive solo-written No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart since Taylor Swift.
“When I was playing bars around northeast Alabama, I thought my career would end up as being a songwriter,” says Green. “Warner Chappell was the first on my team and brought me to Nashville. I’m really excited to continue with them.”
“Riley has a natural gift for storytelling, writing songs that pull on your heartstrings from the very first note,” adds Austen Adams, President, WCM Nashville. “Warner Chappell has been a part of his journey for a while, and we knew we wanted to continue building on this incredible momentum. He is a rare special talent, and our team looks forward to continuing to champion his music on a global scale.”
Green is currently on his 2026 “Cowboy As It Gets Tour,” with scheduled stops in Charlotte, Saratoga Springs, Green Bay and more through August. He will also make festival appearances at Gulf Coast Jam, CMA Fest, Country Thunder Saskatchewan, and more throughout the summer.
He is also up for four ACM Awards this year, including Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
Lauren Watkins Renews Publishing Deal With Big Loud Publishing
Pictured (L-R, front row): Seth England (Partner/CEO, Big Loud), Lauren Watkins and Katie Flynn (Creative Director, Big Loud Publishing). (L-R, back row): Kimberly Gleason (SVP, Big Loud Publishing), Bethany Mako (A&R Manager, Warner Chappell Music) and Sara Knabe (SVP of A&R, Big Loud Records). Photo: Jessie Addleman
Lauren Watkins has renewed her publishing deal with Big Loud Publishing.
“When I walked into Big Loud for the first time five years ago, I instantly felt they were the right team for me. What started in that room has turned into years of encouragement, challenge, support, and of course, hundreds of songs that were waiting to be written,” shares Watkins. “I’m so grateful to be signing a new publishing deal with Big Loud and to start this brand-new chapter with the same hardworking, song-loving folks who believed in me from the very beginning. I feel so blessed to keep writing songs under this roof.”
“Lauren is such a brilliant songwriter and, we feel incredibly fortunate to continue working with her. She consistently writes some of the most compelling songs coming out of Nashville, and she’s only getting started. Her creativity, storytelling and energy are propelling her into a really exciting new chapter and we can’t wait for what’s next,” adds Katie Flynn, Big Loud Publishing Creative Director.
Watkins will release her first song of 2026 this Friday (May 15), “Heartbreakaholic.” Co-penned alongside Will Bundy, Nicolle Galyon and Rodney Clawson, the track showcases her honest, self-aware storytelling. Watkins will join Dylan Scott and Luke Bryan on select tour dates throughout the year, as well as make festival appearaces at Winstock Country Music Festival, Under the Big Sky Festival, Cabo Country Splash and more.
Kaylin Roberson Renews Worldwide Publishing Deal With Peermusic Nashville
Kaylin Roberson. Photo: photosbykalanii
Kaylin Roberson has renewed her global publishing deal with Peermusic Nashville.
“I’m beyond excited and grateful to continue this next chapter of my career with Peermusic,” shares Roberson. “They’ve believed in my songs since day one and I can’t wait to share some big wins in the coming years.”
“I’m very excited that Kaylin is re-upping with Peermusic,” adds Michael Knox, President, Peermusic Nashville. “She is a true singer/songwriter and one of my favorite female artists in town.”
Roberson penned Bailey Zimmerman’s “Comin’ In Cold,” Hannah McFarland’s “Hey Highway” and Michael Ray’s “Hate This Town.” She has also earned cuts with Emily Ann Roberts, David J, Walker Montgomery and others. Her songs have landed sync placements on the Netflix series Hunting Wives and Hallmark Channel’s A Grand Ole Opry Christmas.
The Raleigh native moved to Nashville at 19. In 2020, she released her first single “Out of My Town,” which earned a top 10 spot in the NSAI Songwriter’s Contest. She has since accumulated millions of streams and is slated to release new music later this year.
Category: Music News
