On the heels of making his Stagecoach debut, Post Malone has dropped his Amazon Music Original Cover of Brad Paisley’s “I’m Gonna Miss Her.”

Malone performed the track during his country covers set this weekend, giving his heartfelt take the chart-topping hit, which serves as his first official country release.

“Brad Paisley is the coolest motherfucker on the planet and an absolute legend. This song has meant so much to me for a long time and I’m honored to be able to cover it. I love you Brad,” said Malone.

For fans who couldn’t mosey on to the desert for the sold-out fest, Amazon Music was once again the exclusive streaming destination for all things Stagecoach.

Peep the surprise live performance below and listen to the new Amazon Original song here.

Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman’s The Core Entertainment is galloping into Stagecoach with slate of acts.

This year’s all-star lineup features The Core’s Josh Ross and Nickelback on Friday, plus Nate Smith and Bailey Zimmerman on Sunday, all of whom join the likes of Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen, among other buzzing acts.

As for the performances, fans can expect Ross to sing fan favorites and new tracks from his Complicated EP—which dropped last month—at the two sets he’s due for this weekend (3:20 on the Mane Stage and 6:10 at Bud Light Backyard).

Meanwhile, Nickelback will close out the Palomino stage on Friday night at 11:10pm. What special surprise awaits us then?

The Mane Stage will also see Smith and Zimmerman on Sunday at 4:25 and 6:50, respectively. Smith most recently wrapped his own headlining tour and is on the road with Wallen, as is Zimmerman, who will also grace Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse Cooking Demo activation on Sunday with HARDY at 5pm.

This year’s Stagecoach sold out less than a month after it went on sale, marking its biggest sales ever. Now break in those cowboy boots, boys and girls!

Sony Music Publishing Nashville has signed West Texas native Randall King to a global publishing agreement. The emerging country star has collected more than 300m streams with singles such as “You In A Honky Tonk,” “Hey Cowgirl” and “Mirror, Mirror.” He released his major label debut, Shot Glass (Warner), in 2022 and followed up with Into The Neon earlier this year.

Director, Creative A&R, SMPN Director, Creative A&R Aubrey Landon said she’s looking forward to championing King’s “fresh take on traditional country music,” which she believes “resonates with authenticity.”

Into The Neon arrived in January and was co-written by SMP songwriters Trannie Anderson, Jordan Walker and Michael Carter and Ben Hayslip, as well as artists Mitchell Tenpenny, Will Jones and Nate Smith, among others.

King is currently headlining shows across the U.S. and will be heading to Europe before 2024 is up. Pictured about to get their two-step on are (l-r) Durango Management's Scott Gunter, Landon, King, SMP Nashville's Rusty Gaston and Durango's Clayton Toney.

If you’re sick of our being in the desert, sorry not sorry because we’re heading back for our third and final week this month as AEG/Goldenvoice's rootin’ tootin’ Stagecoach hits the Empire Polo Field 4/26-28. Set times have officially been revealed, so here’s a sampling of some of the must-see sets and must-be places of the weekend.

In addition to headliners Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen, the sold-out fest is brimming with hot country (and country-friendly) talent. If we could see each and every set, we would, but since science hasn’t yet figured out how to put us in two places at once, we can at least supply you with a smattering of what we’re sure will be cookin’ up some heat—and maybe you can figure out how to be in two places at once.

Performances

Friday
Wyatt Flores, Josh Ross, Josh Abbott Band, Hailey Whitters, Carin León, Elle King, Dwight Yoakam, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Nickelback

Saturday
Stephen Wilson Jr., Tenille Townes, MC4D, Maddie & Tae, Luke Grimes, ERNEST, Charley Crockett, Willie Nelson & Family, Leon Bridges, Post Malone, Miranda Lambert, Diplo

Sunday
Ashley Cooke, The War and Treaty, Charles Wesley Godwin, Nate Smith, Megan Moroney, Clint Black, Bailey Zimmerman, The Beach Boys, HARDY, Morgan Wallen, Wiz Khalifa

The Stagecoach lineup, like that of Coachella, is overseen by Goldenvoice EVP and festival mastermind Stacy Vee, who ensures that the late-April desert spectacular’s offerings extend beyond traditional country, as evidenced by acts such as Elle King, Carin León and Megan Moroney (not to mention the aforementioned Nickelback, Bridges, Posty, Diplo, Beach Boys and Wiz).

As for special guests, your guess is as good as ours, but we can’t help but wonder: Will Beyoncé hit the stage? During Coachella Weekend 1, fans were quick to point out an airplane banner promoting COWBOY CARTER, while Weekend 2 saw a large ad for the album on a semi parked on the grounds. Stay tuned (and hydrated), y’all.

Events

Friday
Patrón Midnight Rodeo at the Gallery Desert House, 11pm-3am

Saturday
Stagecoach Day Party, La Quinta, 10am-5pm
Desert Oasis: Stagecoach, Drift Palm Springs, 9am-4pm
Country Night and Winston House Present "The Dive," Palm Springs, 12-5pm

Sunday
Swimsuits & Cowboy Boots at the Gallery Desert House, 1pm-4pm
Desert Oasis: Stagecoach, Drift Palm Springs, 10am-4pm

Singer-songwriter Thunderstorm Artis has dropped his latest track, “My Story,” via ONErpm.

Offering a story of redemption, the single was penned by Hawaii native Artis, alongside award-winning songwriter Jess Cates and producer, drummer and songwriter Colton Price.

“This song is about a person who was lost but found love through a relationship with Jesus,” said Artis, who rose to fame in 2020 as a finalist on Season 18 of The Voice. “The song conveys a message of hope, strength and faith in the power of love and salvation.”

After touring with Train last summer and opening for the Zac Brown Band last fall, Artis currently on his own Don’t Let Me Let You Go Tour. Click here for tickets and stream “My Story” here.

Photo credit: James Stukenberg

Coachella is barely over and here we are talking about AEG/Goldenvoice's country extravaganza, Stagecoach, which should be bigger than ever. Seriously, look at that lineup. With country and Americana dominating the charts, expect a rip-roaring weekend.

No wonder the fest's 2024 iteration had the biggest on-sale of its 16-year history. Stagecoach is due to gallop through Empire Polo Field in Indio, Ca., from 4/26-28.

Stagecoach’s 2024 lineup is led by Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen, plus a country covers set from Post Malone and perfs from such wildly diverse acts as Jelly Roll, Willie Nelson and Leon Bridges, Nickelback, Diplo and Wiz Khalifa. And whatever Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse continues to be? That'll be happening too. And don't forget the expanded Rhinestone Saloon, where no self-respecting cowpoke would order a Vodka soda.

Luke Bryan, Kane Brown and Chris Stapleton topped the Stagecoach lineup last year, but that was only the tip of the cactus, as ZZ Top, Luke Grimes, Bryan Adams and Melissa Etheridge also dropped by amid the triple-digit temperatures.

Monument Records has upped Casey Thomas to VP of marketing and commercial partnerships and Ansley Neeleyto manager of marketing and creative.

In her new role, Thomas will continue to oversee marketing, publicity, creative, digital and streaming, while Neeley will step into project management and continue her work in supporting creative and publicity efforts.

“Casey has worked tirelessly in support of Monument and our artist roster over the years she has been with us. Her leadership and relationship skills along with her one-of-a-kind marketing mind are beyond impressive and she will excel in this role,” said Monument’s GM Katie McCartney.

She continues, “Ansley has leaned in and worked so hard to grow and learn all aspects of marketing and promotion. This is a natural progression for her and this elevation is well-deserved.”

Boston native Thomas joined Monument as manager of PR in 2018 from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum before being elevated to publicist and most recently director of marketing, publicity and creative.

Neeley, who moved to Nashville in 2019, began her career at The GreenRoom PR as a junior publicist before joining Monument in 2021 as the label’s promotion coordinator, later adding in marketing coordinator responsibilities. Most recently, she became more involved in overseeing and developing the roster’s creative elements.

Thomas and Neely look forward to ignoring our emails.

Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Verse 2 Music have renewed their global publishing deal with Josh Hoge.

The award-winning, multi-platinum hitmaker recently had chart success with Kane Brown’s #1 hit “Bury Me in Georgia,” which was a top-performing track at the 2023 SESAC Music Awards, and his crossover #1 hit “Thank God,” which was named SESAC’s 2023 Country Song of the Year.

Hoge’s latest credits include Zac Brown Band’s “Tie Up,” which debuted at #24 on the Country Airplay chart. He also has more forthcoming cuts this year with Brown as well as Chris Young, Jelly Roll and Kameron Marlowe, among others.

“When Kane and I started Verse 2 Music, we wanted to foster long-term relationships with writers and artists that desire to make music history, and Josh is a prime example of this. Delivering a Song of the Year within the first deal proves our visions align. We look forward to continuing an already successful relationship,” said Verse 2 Partner Kent Earls.

“Josh is a creator who is always carving his own lane. He’s passionate, enthusiastic and delivers great songs again and again. We couldn’t be happier to continue this successful relationship with Josh, Kent and Kane,” added SMP Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston.

“I’ve always been a writer that’s loved when I’ve been able to be exactly who I am and create exactly the way I want, and Kent and team have always let me be myself, which I think that’s a big reason to our success together,” said Hoge.

Having earned a Grammy nom and a CMA nom for his work on Young’s “Think of You” and “I’m Comin’ Over,” respectively, Hoge has also penned hits like Brown’s “Cool Again” and “Used to Love You Sober,” as well as “One Thing Right” with Marshmello.

Photo credit: Peyton Hoge