Music News (8/26/26)
Dan + Shay Grace Cover Of 2026 MusicRow Awards Issue
MusicRow, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, has released its 2026 MusicRow Awards print issue, with Warner Records Nashville’s Dan + Shay gracing its cover.
As the first and only artists to win the GRAMMY Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance three times consecutively, Dan + Shay have entered one of the most prolific seasons of their 13-year career. The global superstars have amassed more than 14 billion streams and 141 worldwide career multi-Platinum, Platinum and Gold sales certifications to date, including 60 U.S. RIAA and 81 international awards. The duo has also won ten ACM Awards, eight American Music Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three GRAMMY Awards, two CMA Awards and two People’s Choice Awards. Additionally, in 2024, they became the first-ever coaching duo on NBC’s Emmy-winning program The Voice.
The celebrated hitmakers continue their musical legacy with their new album, Young, out now. Dan + Shay offered the world a message of hope with the album’s lead single, “Say So,” garnering attention from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The song was followed by new releases, “Marry You Again” and the title track “Young.”
The MusicRow Awards print issue highlights the 2026 MusicRow Awards nominees in a range of categories, including Producer of the Year, Studio of the Year, Label Group of the Year, Talent Agency of the Year, Publishing Company of the Year, Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year, Male Songwriter of the Year, Female Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Discovery Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Group/Duo Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
“Turning the pages of this issue puts the reader in awe of how much talent moves through this town in a single year,” shares MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. “So to everyone in this issue, from the ones with a shelf full of trophies to the ones holding their first nomination, this spotlight is well deserved. It’s our privilege to shine this well-deserved spotlight on all of these outstanding talents.”
The winners of the 38th annual MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually across all MusicRow platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank. This print issue also honors the Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Award winners, recognizing the studio players who played on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Albums Chart during the eligibility period.
The 2026 MusicRow Awards print issue also explores how independent labels handle awards season in a conversation with Leo33, and features insights from Frank Liddell, Tofer Brown and Joey Moi on the art of making impactful records.
Single copies of the 2026 MusicRow Awards print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $25, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.
Dolly Parton: The Passing Of An Icon
Dolly Parton. Photo: David McClister
Global icon Dolly Parton passed away peacefully Tuesday (Aug. 25) in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer. She was 80.
Dolly Parton was arguably the most famous, most universally beloved and most widely respected country-music artist of all time. She is a member of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, The East Tennessee Hall of Fame, The (NY) Songwriters Hall of Fame and the American Academy of Achievement. Parton won a Kennedy Center Honor, earned two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, garnered 11 Grammy Awards and 10 CMA Awards, was presented with a National Medal of Arts, and to date has 44 top-10 country albums, more than any other artist. She has been celebrated with a life-size bronze statue in her hometown of Sevierville, TN.
She had 40 BMI Songwriter honors, in addition to eight BMI Million-Air certificates, ranging from one million (“Coat of Many Colors”) to three million (“Jolene”), and upward to five million (“9 To 5”) and 10 million (“I Will Always Love You”). She has composed two Broadway musicals, created a symphony-orchestra experience, and starred in seven Hollywood movies, including such major hits as 9 To 5 (1980) and Steel Magnolias (1989). Her 18 made-for-TV films included an Emmy Award winner (2021) and eight original Netflix productions based on her songs (2020).
Her business acumen was legendary. She had an East Tennessee theme park, a Nashville hotel and a career museum. She put her brand on cake mixes, frozen foods, perfume, jewelry, pet products, clothing, kitchenware, picnic supplies, travel centers, pinball machines, wine, and cosmetics. Her net worth has been estimated at more than $500 million.
Parton’s philanthropy extended to Appalachian charities, medical clinics, and educational initiatives. She famously founded the Imagination Library to put books into the hands of millions of children. She donated one million dollars to create a COVID vaccine.
Dolly Parton rose from impoverished anonymity to become one of the most famous popular-culture figures of modern times. Her shimmering mountain soprano and emotionally gripping songwriting captivated the country-music community. Her baroque looks and witty personality fascinated the pop-music world. Her savvy intelligence and quick-study adaptability turned Hollywood’s head. Her warm humanity and strong sense of social justice endeared her to common people all over the world. She was, in short, the grandest of superstars.
Phil Barton Signs Publishing Deal With BMG
Pictured (L-R): Gracie Glass (Liz Rose Music), Scott Ponce (Liz Rose Music), Liz Rose (Liz Rose Music), Phil Barton, Amy Hendon Scott (BMG), Kate Shirley (BMG), Chris Oglesby (BMG) and Dave Pacula (BMG). Photo: Jackson James
Phil Barton has signed a publishing deal with BMG in partnership with Liz Rose Music.
With more than 900 cuts, Barton first broke through with Lee Brice’s No. 1 hit “A Woman Like You,” earning MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year honor and an NSAI “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” award. Since then, he has built an internationally respected catalog spanning country, pop and children’s music, with songs recorded by artists including Sara Evans, Gabby Barrett, Dustin Lynch, Eli Young Band, Priscilla Block, Matt Stell, LOCASH, Alison Krauss, Ashley McBryde and David Nail. His song “Cowboy’s Duty” was also featured in the Oscar-nominated film Sicario, while his work has earned multiple No. 1 and Top 10 hits across both North America and Australia.
“So excited to start this new chapter of writing with the BMG publishing family and continue my amazing relationship with Liz Rose Music,” says Barton. “Amy Hendon Scott was my first believer in this town, so to be reunited with her and work alongside the incredible people at BMG and Liz Rose Music is truly a dream. As an Australian Nashvillian, I never take for granted being surrounded by such an outstanding team.”
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Phil to BMG,” says Amy Hendon Scott, Director, Creative, BMG Publishing. “I’ve believed in Phil since the beginning, so getting the opportunity to work together again makes this partnership especially meaningful. Phil is the kind of songwriter every publisher hopes to work with. His songs are honest, memorable and beautifully crafted, but just as importantly, he’s someone artists love writing with. He brings curiosity, consistency and an incredible work ethic to every room, and we’re proud to partner with Liz Rose Music as we help champion the next chapter of his remarkable career.”
Conner Moye Inks With Concord Music Publishing
Pictured (L-R, back row): Ellie Gray, Matt Turner, Courtney Allen, Shaugnessy Elsroth and Claire Buchanan. (L-R, front row): Brad Kennard, Connor Moye and Melissa Spillman. Photo: Audrey Spillman for Concord
Singer-songwriter Conner Moye has signed a global publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing.
Based in Nashville, Moye grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he developed an early love for storytelling and country music. He graduated from Belmont University and has since collaborated with artists including Brandon Wisham, Nightly, Georgia Webster and Faith Hopkins.
Moye combines traditional country storytelling with a contemporary indie-acoustic sound, writing about complex subjects including loss, alcoholism and romantic devotion. This past year, he released “Feel Twice” and is teasing more new music on social media. Moye performed at this year’s CMA Fest in Nashville during STEM and Concord Music Publishing’s Rooftop Roundup showcase on Broadway.
“I’m incredibly grateful and honored to join the Concord Publishing family,” says Moye. “Songwriting, for me has always been about connection and writing honest stories. I can already tell that the family-like environment Concord provides is the right place for me to dive deeper into my development as a songwriter and artist. I’m especially grateful to Melissa Spillman and the entire Concord team for believing in me. I’m excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to see what we create together.”
“It’s rare to find an artist and songwriter with such musical qualities as Conner,” adds Spillman, VP A&R at Concord Music Publishing. “He has that star factor, that intangible quality that we all strive to find in our business, and the trajectory of his music is equally exciting. I am so happy to welcome Conner to the Concord family of artists and songwriters. He is exactly the kind of person we feel blessed to work with!”
Duetti Opens New Music Row Office
Photo: Courtesy of Duetti
Duetti has opened its first Nashville office, located at 1604 16th Ave. S., in the heart of Music Row.
Founded in 2022 by CEO Lior Tibon and COO Christopher Nolte, the company partners with independent artists and songwriters to buy, manage and market their catalogs. The company’s local roster includes Spencer Crandall, Parson James, Molly Grace, Dave Fenley, Jessie Villa and Ryder Johnson.
“The address is deliberate. Music Row has been the working center of Nashville songwriting for more than half a century,” says Tibon. “Putting our first Nashville office here says something about how we intend to operate in this city — close to the artists, writers, and publishers we work with.”
“In this industry, you encounter so many companies that are simply transactional. Duetti has proven to be anything but that,” shares Dave Fenley, a Nashville recording artist and Duetti partner. “They’ve invested in my career, celebrated my wins, and given me a peace of mind that’s very hard to find in the music business.”
Duetti marked the opening with a launch dinner at Geist for artists, managers and industry friends, and an office tour and breakfast for local music publishers. The company recently partnered with The Other Nashville Society (TONS) for a panel titled “Leveraging Your Catalog as an Independent Artist.”
One:eight Entertainment Launches Publishing Division, Signs Producers Kyle Lee & Ryan Rich
Pictured (L-R): Taylor Niemi, Alex Whiten, Bella Miller, Derek Spirk, Ryan Rich, Greg Ham, Kyle Lee, Madeline Halm and Elyse Mead
Artist development company one:eight entertainment has launched a new publishing division led by Greg Ham and Madeline Halm and has signed producers and songwriters Kyle Lee and Ryan Rich.
Since its founding, one:eight entertainment has represented many influential artists and creatives in music and entertainment, including Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, Steven Curtis Chapman, Robert Deaton, Charity Gayle, DOE, Joseph O’Brien and Ryan Kennedy.
Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter Lee joins one:eight publishing following years of partnership with the team through work with clients such as CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith. This year alone, Lee has worked with artists including Chris Tomlin, CeCe Winans, Charity Gayle, DOE, Gateway Worship, Josh Baldwin, Patrick Mayberry and Ryan Kennedy. His work has earned multiple No. 1 singles, Gold and Platinum certifications, and several Grammy and Dove Awards, including four recent Dove nominations, including Producer of the Year. He’s best known for projects like CeCe Winans’ Believe For It, Gateway Worship Español’s Danzando, Leeland’s Way Maker, and Josh Baldwin’s Made For More.
Producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rich has quickly become one of the industry’s most respected emerging creatives, collaborating with artists including Martin Smith, Charity Gayle, Gateway Worship, Michael Bethany, Abbie Gamboa, and Elyssa Figueroa, and his work has earned multiple Dove Award nominations. Whether producing records at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in the UK, or writing songs that have found homes in churches around the world, Rich approaches every project with this purpose: creating music that points people to Jesus while championing the artists that have been entrusted to him.
“Creativity is always in its healthiest form when it’s flowing in a community of people who share the same vision, and who champion each other,” says Lee. “Through that lens, I’ve never been so hopeful and encouraged than I am entering this new season of partnership with one:eight and collaboration with Ryan Rich.”
“As the industry continues to evolve, we’re excited to expand the ways we serve the creative community,” adds Ham, Founder of one:eight entertainment, “We have seen first-hand how songs have the potential to make an eternal impact. That’s why we’re passionate about coming alongside the songwriters and producers behind those songs to help them steward their God-given gifts.”
Ben Van Maarth Signs With Back Row Publishing
Pictured (L-R): Lindsay Will (VP A&R, Back Row Publishing), Taylor Antle (Director A&R, Back Row Publishing), Ben Van Maarth, Michael Kozelj (President, Back Row Music).
Ben Van Maarth has signed with Back Row Publishing.
Van Maarth began his career in 2018 as a touring guitarist for Tucker Beathard and Troy Cartwright before shifting his focus to production in 2022, going on to shape records for Dipper, Cartwright, Clayton Mullen and others. He has since landed writing cuts with Tyler Nance, Your Neighbors, Ian Harrison, Cole Phillips and Thomas Ventura. Van Maarth also maintains his own artist project, Benny Vans.
“I’m so lucky to have found a team who’s just as excited about the music I’m making as I am,” says Van Maarth. “They tell you to find your champion, and I’m incredibly lucky to say I’ve found mine. Taylor and the entire team are building something truly special at Back Row, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
“Ben is the type of writer I’ve always wanted to work with,” adds Director of A&R Taylor Antle. “He is a true triple-threat in the writing room who possesses a great ability to adapt to an artist’s vision while still producing unique and exciting elements in every song. His raw talent is undeniable. I have loved everything Ben has done in the past and present, but I am even more excited for what the future holds.”
Alison Nichols Inks With BMG
Pictured (L-R): Chris Oglesby, VP, Head of Creative, BMG Publishing; Sherrie Austin, Go Long Entertainment Management; Amy Hendon Scott, Director, Creative, BMG Publishing; Alison Nichols; Jon Loba, President, Recorded Music, North & South America; Peter Strickland, General Manager, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville and JoJamie Hahr, EVP, Recorded Music, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Photo: Kevin Grace
Alison Nichols has signed a worldwide publishing deal with BMG.
One of the first Asian-American artists in country music, Nichols describes herself as “half Korean, half redneck, and 100% American.” Raised in Georgia and influenced by her time in Texas, she has built an identity around her personality, attitude and honest storytelling. Her music combines modern country with personal lyrics, gaining attention through songs including “is it just me?,” “HOOPS,” “John Deere Green,” “Box Wine Problems,” “Dressin’ Down” and most recently, “All Heaven Broke Loose.”
“Signing my first publishing deal is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time, and I’m so thankful to be doing it with the BMG family. Having people like Amy who believed in me and my songwriting from the very beginning makes this moment even more meaningful, and I can’t wait to see where this next chapter leads,” says Nichols.
“We’re thrilled to continue building alongside Alison as she enters this next chapter of her career,” adds Amy Scott, Director, Creative BMG Publishing. “As both an artist and songwriter, she brings a rare combination of authenticity, passion and humor to everything she creates. Her ability to tell honest stories in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable is what makes her such a special talent, and we’re excited to help champion her songwriting for years to come.”
Category: Music News
