Music News (9/16/26)

Nominees Revealed For 60th CMA Awards

The final nominees for the 60th annual CMA Awards have been revealed.

Ella Langley leads the group with nine nods, including her first for Entertainer of the Year. Other top nominees include Miranda Lambert with seven nominations; Kacey Musgraves and Ben West with five nominations each; Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. with four nominations each; and Dave Clauss, Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson with three each.

Alongside Langley, Combs, Johnson, Stapleton and Wilson are vying for Entertainer of the Year.

There are 13 first-time nominees, including Smith Ahnquist, Avery Anna, Jack Antonoff, Tim Cofield, Carter Faith, Austin Goodloe, Muscadine Bloodline, Emily Ann Roberts, Caylee Robillard, Laura Sisk, Joybeth Taylor, Thelma & James and Ben West.

“For six decades, the CMA Awards have celebrated excellence in Country Music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We’re grateful to CMA’s Professional members, whose collective voice determines every nomination, bringing real expertise to the balloting process each year. Congratulations to all of this year’s deserving nominees. We cannot wait to celebrate our milestone anniversary together in November.”

The CMA Awards broadcasts live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/EST) on ABC, Disney+ and next day on Hulu.

Click here to see the full list of nominees. 

 

BMI Elevates Mason Hunter To VP, Creative, Partnerships & Events

BMI has promoted Mason Hunter to VP, Creative Partnerships & Events.

Hunter will focus on developing new brand partnerships that support BMI’s business and creative goals, while creating additional revenue opportunities for BMI’s songwriters, composers and publishers. He will also work to strengthen existing partnerships and increase brand visibility.

In addition, Hunter will work closely with BMI Vice President, Creative Clay Bradley, to support Nashville’s songwriting community and help oversee the company’s Nashville Creative team of writer representatives. Hunter is based at BMI’s Nashville office.

“Mason’s leadership, creativity, and deep understanding of BMI’s mission have been instrumental in strengthening our brand partnerships and expanding the opportunities they create for BMI and our affiliates across major festivals and events nationwide,” says Mike Steinberg, Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer, BMI. “He has a proven ability to build meaningful relationships across the music and business communities, turning strategic collaborations into new revenue streams, greater brand awareness, and valuable experiences for BMI’s creative community. I’m thrilled to congratulate Mason on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to seeing his continued success in this expanded role.”

He most recently served as Assistant Vice President, Creative since 2017. In that role, he developed new partnerships and created additional revenue and performance opportunities for BMI’s music creators. During his time with the company, he has helped build partnerships with Gallagher Insurance, Xperi, Texas Roadhouse, Delta Air Lines, Nissan, INFINITI, Studio Bank, Shure, Diageo, J.P. Morgan and WP Global, among others.

Hunter has also helped develop several major BMI events, including the Rooftop on the Row series and the Ryman & BMI Block Party. He has played an important role in BMI’s long-running partnership with C3 Presents, which has made BMI the only performing rights organization with branded stages at both ACL Fest and Lollapalooza. He also worked with Yeti to launch the BMI/Yeti Day Party at SXSW, organized the Key West Songwriters Festival and other BMI showcases, and helped establish the BMI Troubadour Award and BMI Ambassador Award.

Hunter joined BMI in 2000 and has held several leadership positions in General Licensing and Industry Relations. He worked with major accounts and trade associations in the media and hospitality industries before joining BMI’s Creative department in 2014 as Executive Director, Partnerships and Events. Before BMI, Hunter worked at Deloitte, where he earned his CPA license.

He currently serves on the Texas Heritage Songwriters Advisory Board and has previously served on the boards of the Academy of Country Music, Leadership Music and the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters. Hunter earned a B.S. in Management and Accounting, graduating cum laude from Lipscomb University.

 

J.I. Allison Named Sixth Member Of Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Class Of 2026

The late Jerry Ivan (J.I.) Allison has been named as the sixth member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2026, joining previously announced inductees Taylor Swift, Lyle Lovett, Bruce Channel, Shawn Camp and Lee Thomas Miller.

“What an honor it is to have J.I. Allison join this year’s class,” says Rich Hallworth, Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors.. “His body of work as both a songwriter and an artist continues to endure through classics like ‘That’ll Be The Day,’ ‘Peggy Sue,’ and ‘More Than I Can Say.’ He’s a member of two halls of fame already, and we’re proud to soon welcome him into ours.”

Allison has been elected in NaSHOF’s Legacy category. The six new electees will join the 254 existing members of the Hall, which was established in 1970.

A native of Hillsboro, Texas, Allison began his music career playing drums for Buddy Holly. In 1956, he played on Holly’s first recording sessions in Nashville and formed The Crickets a year later. As a songwriter, he co-wrote “That’ll Be The Day,” which became a No. 1 Pop hit and reached No. 2 on the R&B charts for Buddy Holly & The Crickets. Among notable covers by The Beatles, The Everly Brothers and Waylon Jennings, the song was later reached No. 11 on the Pop charts for Linda Ronstadt. Additional notable writing credits include “Peggy Sue,” “More Than I Can Say,” “Tell Me How,” “Think It Over” and “Well…. All Right.” The Crickets were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

 

BMI Honors Sheryl Crow With 2026 Troubadour Award

BMI honored Sheryl Crow with the 2026 Troubadour Award last night (Sept. 14) during a private ceremony in Nashville.

Hosted by BMI Nashville’s VP of Creative Clay Bradley, Crow was presented with the Troubadour award and a Gibson J-45 guitar to commemorate her profound impact on the creative community.

Jason Isbell, Melissa Etheridge, Eric Church, Lauren Daigle, Chris Stapleton and Olivia Rodrigo each honored Crow with a performance of one of her hit tracks. Jeff Trott took the microphone to speak about their creative partnership that spans three decades. The Chicks, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Robert Earl Keen, John Oates, Peter Stroud and Jesse Wells each offered congratulations via video.

Crow has sold more than 50 million albums globally with multi-genre hits including “All I Wanna Do” and “If It Makes You Happy.” She has earned more No. 1 singles on the Billboard Triple A chart than any other female artist in history. Since affiliating with BMI in 1991, Crow has garnered prestigious accolades, including the 1997 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year, 12 BMI Awards and eight BMI Million-Air awards.

She joins prior Troubadour Award recipients John Fogerty, Billy F Gibbons, John Hiatt, Robert Earl Keen, John Oates, John Prine and Lucinda Williams.

 

Mac McAnally & Rod Essig To Receive Nashville Symphony’s 2026 Harmony Award

Veteran singer-songwriter, performer and producer Mac McAnally and star-making CAA agent Rod Essig will be presented with the 2026 Harmony Award by the Nashville Symphony Association. They will be honored at the 42nd annual Symphony Ball, presented by Amazon, on Dec, 12 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

A 10-time CMA Musician of the Year and longtime member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, McAnally has penned some of the biggest hits in country music, including “Two Dozen Roses,” “Old Flame,” and “Down The Road,” a massive No. 1 duet with Kenny Chesney. He will be joined onstage by Amy Grant, whose acclaimed new album he produced, and who will perform in his honor.

Essig, who co-founded CAA’s Nashville office in 1993, has been instrumental in the careers of some of icons such as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Martina McBride, among many others, and was Leann Rimes’ first agent. He will be joined by a surprise guest to present him with his award.

Presented annually by the Nashville Symphony since 1986, the Harmony Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s music community.

“Our 2026 Harmony Award honorees have spent their careers sharing the sound and spirit of Nashville with audiences around the world,” share Symphony Ball Co-Chairs Haden Cook and Lynn Scarola. “As a member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, a prolific writer of chart-topping hits for other artists, and a stellar solo performer, Mac McAnally has delighted audiences of all ages for decades. Rod Essig, as head of Nashville’s CAA office, has launched and shepherded the careers of some of the most significant artists in country and pop music. Both of them truly embody the spirit of the Harmony Award, and we are honored to celebrate them.”

“I am both surprised and honored to be selected for the Harmony Award by the Nashville Symphony,” says McAnally. “As long as I can remember, I’ve heard all kinds of music in my head and wondered whether my head was the only place it belonged. To join the amazing list of past honorees is one more example of life outshining my ‘wildest’ dreams.”

Essig shares, “Nashville has always been a haven for music of all kinds, and the connection between Music Row and the Schermerhorn is a vital one, as this summer’s amazing Dolly Parton tribute concerts proved. I have worked with so many wonderful artists over the years, and I truly believe some of the finest musicians in the world are right here in the Nashville Symphony. It’s a true honor to receive this award, and I look forward to many more years of helping promote these superb artists, and instrumental excellence in all genres.”

Past recipients of the Harmony Award include T Bone Burnett, the Grand Ole Opry, Randy Travis, John Esposito, Kix Brooks, Lady A, Maren Morris, Keb’ Mo’, Kelsea Ballerini, Toby Keith, Steven Tyler, Béla Fleck, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike and Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, and Marty Stuart.

 

Melody Place Adds Industry Vets Bob Reeves & Liz Kiley

Johnny Clawson Renews Publishing Deal With SMACKSongs

Johnny Clawson has renewed his global publishing deal with SMACKSongs.

Clawson earned his first No. 1 in 2025 with Blake Shelton’s “Texas,” which was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2025 CMA Awards and named one of NSAI’s “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written.” Ella Langley’s “weren’t for the wind” became Clawson’s second chart topper at country radio. The triple-Platinum track earned Song of the Year at the 2026 AIMP Awards. Clawson has earned additional cuts with Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Chris Young, Dasha, Josh Ross, McCoy Moore, Redferrin, Jon Pardi, Ashley Cooke, Tyler Halverson, Ava Hall and Seaforth, among others.

“Johnny is a dream to work with,” shares Sam Sarno, Senior Creative Director of Publishing at SMACK. “He brings so much talent, heart, and dedication into everything he does, and his work ethic is truly unmatched. We’re really proud of everything we’ve accomplished so far, and can’t wait to keep building together.”

“SMACK and I have had an amazing four years,” says Clawson. “I’m so pumped to continue the hard work and expand on all the awesome things we’ve already accomplished together.”

 

Jared Scott Inks With Back Row Publishing

Jared Scott has signed with Back Row Publishing.

Scott’s songs have been recorded by Chris Stapleton, Jon Pardi, Vincent Mason, Avery Anna, Walker Hayes, Sydney Rose, Jessica Baio and BRELAND. He also co-wrote Zimmerman’s Gold-certified “Chase Her.”

“Signing with Back Row feels like the beginning of a really exciting new chapter. I’m so grateful to have them in my corner and can’t wait to see what we do together,” says Scott.

“I’ve been a fan of Jared for years and am so excited that we finally get to work together,” says Lindsay Will, Vice President of A&R. “He brings a fresh perspective into the room and writes from a place that feels honest and real and his ability to move seamlessly across genres makes him such a special talent. We’re thrilled to welcome Jared to the Back Row Music family and to be a part of this next chapter!”

 

Justin Dukes Inks With Reservoir [Exclusive]

Songwriter Justin Dukes has signed his first-ever publishing deal with Reservoir, covering both his catalog and future works.

Hailing from Georgia, Dukes picked up the guitar at age 12 and spent his teenage years performing throughout the Southeast before moving to Nashville in 2015 to pursue songwriting full-time. Since then, he has continued to develop his storytelling, drawing inspiration from the honest lyrics and timeless melodies of ’90s country music.

Dukes has more than 50 artist cuts to his name, including songs recorded by Sean Stemaly and Matt Jordan. He also co-wrote Cole Goodwin’s 2024 song “Catchin’ On,” leading to another collaboration on Goodwin’s latest single, “Howdy,” from his EP of the same name. The single went to radio in June with 56 first-week adds.

“Getting to write country music every day and having the best team behind me is a dream come true,” says Dukes. “I’m so grateful to be working with Sarah McDaniels, John Ozier, Greg Gallo, and the whole Reservoir team.”

“Justin is an exceptional songwriter with a rare ability to turn real-life experiences into songs that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable,” adds Reservoir Executive Vice President of Creative John Ozier. “His gift for authentic storytelling is at the heart of what makes country music so powerful, and he brings that same honesty and emotional depth to every song he writes. We’re thrilled to welcome Justin to the Reservoir family and look forward to supporting him as he continues to build an incredible body of work and make his mark on country music.”

Category: Music News