Two days ahead of his 4/7 performance on CBS' CMT Music Awards from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, Sam Hunt will release the new four-song Locked Up EP through MCA Nashville.

Hunt, who has accumulated more than 14.4 global streams, will play the just-released title cut on the CMT Awards, while the EP will also feature his top 10 Country airplay hit "Outskirts" as well as the new tunes "Country House" and "Last Hurrah."

Hunt co-wrote all but the latter with a team of collaborators such as Ross Copperman, Zach Crowell, Jeremy Flowers, Luke Laird, Michael Lotten, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.

The artist is in the midst of his Live Nation-promoted Outskirts Tour 2024, which resumes 4/4 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Bailey Zimmerman kicked off two back-to-back, sold-out shows at NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom (3/22-23) with six new plaques. The Core Entertainment presented Zimmerman with the keepsakes on stage to commemorate his now platinum single “Where It Ends,” the 4x platinum “Fall in Love” and 5x platinum “Rock and a Hard Place.”

Co-founded by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman, The Core had a helluva 2023 with Zimmerman’s debut album, Religiously. The Album. (Warner), which earned the biggest first-week streams of all time for a Country debut. Next month, Zimmerman heads to the desert for Stagecoach and will join a fleet of The Core talent, including Nate Smith, Josh Ross and Nickelback.

Seen wishing this photo could run anywhere but here are (back row, l-r) The Core's Tikhman, Elektra's Jake Fain, Zimmerman, Kristi Zimmerman, Warner Music Nashville's Cris Lacy, Elektra's Gregg Nadal and (front row, l-r) Elektra's Adam Soybel and Jonathan Janis, The Core's Zaruk and Tracy Martin, and WMN's Ben Kline.

Photo credit: Isaac Mason

The RIAA honored Big Machine’s Brett Young at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville 3/19 with a coveted diamond certification. Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know,” which was released in 2017, becomes only the ninth country song to amass 10m units in the U.S.

At the celebration, Young performed “In Case You Didn’t Know,” “Lady” and current single “Dance With You,” from his latest album, Across the Sheets, before accepting the diamond award in front of music-industry friends, media and his family—wife Taylor and daughters Rowan and Presley.

“‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ is truly one of those rare and extraordinary evergreen songs. It’s been seven years since its release and it continues to play and play and reach new audiences for Brett,” said Big Machine Label Group Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta. “It’s a testament to Brett’s incredible songwriting ability and a shining jewel in his very robust and ever-expanding catalog.”

Pictured above once they managed to get Borchetta out of the Science Center’s full-motion flight simulator: (l-r) Otter Creek Entertainment’s JT Pratt and Haley McLemore, Borchetta, the RIAA’s Erin Burr, Otter Creek’s Van Haze, the RIAA’s Morna Willens, Young, the RIAA’s Jackie Jones and Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment’s Jimmy Harnen.

In an exclusive preview of this week’s Sunday TODAY on NBC, country star Kenny Chesney returns to MetLife Stadium for a heart-to-heart conversation with Willie Geist and opens up about what writing, recording and performing his songs to his fans means to him.

“It's a level of validation that you don't get anywhere else,” said Chesney, who has three sets of tour prep and rehearsals underway, “When you see Bruce Springsteen in this stadium or on stage giving all of himself…with songs that they [fans]really care about, that’s the bar that was set. When you do see that connection, when you do feel that energy, and that people care about it, that's the best thing in the world.”

Catch the full interview on NBC News’ Sunday TODAY With Willie Geist on 3/24 and peep the clip below.

UMG Nashville has tapped Jake Gear as VP of A&R. Gear arrives at the company with more than 10 years of experience as a publisher, producer and writer manager.

"Jake brings an unparalleled passion for nurturing artists, writers, and producers within the vibrant Nashville community,” said UMGN EVP of A&R Chelsea Blythe. "With his keen ear to the ground and unwavering dedication, I’m excited for the creativity he brings to the department, and I know he’ll be a huge asset to our roster.”

The Iowa-born Gear graduated from Nashville’s Belmont University and kicked off his career in the Music & Licensing department at CMT.

He then went on to hold publishing posts at Magic Mustang Music, Sea Gayle Music and BMG before launching Hang Your Hat Music in 2020 with Concord Music and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Hillary Lindsey.

He also managed Lindsey and produced albums for Flatland Cavalry, Ben Chapman, Harper O’Neill and Hailey Whitters.

Gear has notched hit records with artists like Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Tyler Hubbard, Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Morgan Wallen and Little Big Town, among others.

Photo credit: Jason Myers

Eric Church is kicking off the grand opening of Chief’s, his new downtown Nashville restaurant and live music venue, with his 19-show To Beat the Devil residency.

Beginning 4/5, the shows will take place at the two-story live music venue, The Neon Steeple, within Chiefs, which Church designed with founder/CEO of Adventurous Journey Capital Partners, Ben Weprin, and is aimed in part to house intimate pop-up shows from the CMA Entertainer of the Year.

“These shows at Chief’s will be one of a kind, only for Chief’s and with some songs that will only ever be performed during these shows,” said Church. “It's the most unique show I'll probably ever do, and I'm excited to enjoy this chapter of what Chief’s will be.”

Presale sign-ups will be available to premium Church Choir members beginning 3/12, with general onsale beginning 3/22 here. A portion of proceeds from every ticket benefits Church’s nonprofit organization, Chief Cares.

We asked Stem Head of Artist and Label Strategy Alison Junker and Head of Artist and Label Relations, Rock and Alternative Chris Allen—two key members of the company's Nashville team—about Stem’s strategic expansion, its unique value proposition for artists wary of traditional record deals and more. For some reason, they decided to answer our questions. Dive in below.

What have been some key drivers in helping expand Stem's presence in Nashville?

AJ: In addition to signing some key independent country artists, we’ve been able to penetrate the market with intentional strategy around marketing and pitching. The landscape also continues to work in favor of independent artists. I said it when I started over a year and half ago, and it rings even more true today: There is no better time to be an independent artist than right now.

CA: Relationships are everything. Alison Junker and I have both been part of the community for over a decade. We have worked at labels, publishers, DSPs and distributors. We have strong ties to the community and love artist development. Having a relationship with Big Loud Records is huge—they are one of the most successful independent labels in country music and have expanded into all genres. The managers and publishers are doing the hard work. When they get it right there’s no need for a label in the traditional sense.

What value proposition can Stem offer an artist who is wary of a traditional record deal?

AJ: Our value proposition is multifaceted and ever-growing, but the key difference between Stem and a major label deal is simple: At Stem, you have a team that has the expertise of a major label but you’re able to release your music whenever you want.

CA: Stem is all about independence. I was attracted to their motto: "Helping artists unfuck the music business.” My background is in artist management. As a manager I know the artist and every song—it’s the artist’s life and livelihood—and I’m committed to their success. Stem has the same mindset. Stem is committed to more than just market share. We are taking a curated approach to our roster and the songs we release every week have a much higher batting average in terms of playlisting. Stem's deals are generous for the level of service we provide.

Tell us about some of the artists you've signed to Stem since joining, and what they have cooking in 2024.

AJ: We signed Spencer Crandall a few months after I started and have helped him grow his team with a publishing deal with Warner Chappell and a few additional releases to his breakout album. He’s been writing for the past year or so and we just released his first new song since 2022. We’re working toward an album in 2025 with many more releases this year. Chris Allen and I also signed Shaylen, who has seen success across all aspects of her career over the past year. Her breakout song “What If I Don’t” was added to Hot Country shortly after she signed with us, and it’s now seen over 25m streams on Spotify alone. We’re working on an EP for release in the fall. We’re also working with the newest breakout star, Tucker Wetmore. His first release ever, “Wine into Whiskey,” had over 1.2m first-day streams. To say there is momentum is an understatement and we’re excited to keep that up with more releases this spring.

CA: We've signed a mix of artists and labels, Verswire, Barnaby/Cadence Records (Andy Williams’ label), 800 LB Gorilla, Thriller Records, Set it Off; (coming off a #1 song at Octane, they have another big single called “Fake Ass Friends”), and Go-Jo (over 50m on first single). A massive success has been Richy Mitch & the Coal Miners. In one year with Stem, RMCM have gone from 400k Spotify monthly listeners to over 16m.

With country artists continuing to post record DSP and box office numbers, what are your thoughts on the health of the genre at large? Is there any ceiling in sight?

AJ: Considering the numbers I’m seeing on Tucker Wetmore’s first release, I think the ceiling for country artists is only getting higher. Regardless of genre, great storytelling will always win. That being said, I think country artists do it best.

CA: I don’t see a ceiling or boundaries. We are working with Chugg in Australia. They are doing sold-out festivals, arena and stadium tours regularly with Nashville artists. Beyoncé just released a country record. It keeps expanding in the U.S. and around the world.

What are your thoughts on hot chicken? Is it too hot or not hot enough?

AJ: Not too hot, but I could live without it as a whole.

CA: I’m a fish guy. I’ll do the jalapeño yellowtail and spicy tuna crispy rice. We need a Nobu here.

RECORDS Nashville has inked rising Country artist Alli Walker.

Known for her pop/rock country sound, the Prince Edward Island native boasts 700k+ social media followers, 10m+ views on her viral track, “The Whiskey’s Gone,” and has secured partnerships with Nike and Google.

“I’ve been grinding for 15 years as an independent artist and beyond excited to add incredible team members and join forces with RECORDS Nashville,” said Alli. “I’m so grateful to collaborate with such a talented team that believes in me and my vision who can elevate my music to new heights and help me connect with a broader audience!”

Josh Easler, EVP/promotion & commercial strategy, RECORDS Nashville, adds, “The RECORDS Nashville team is always looking for artistry that stands out, and Alli Walker does just that. We are excited to get started amplifying what she is already having success with.”

To celebrate the new deal, Walker has released her latest track, “I Like Big Trucks.” Walker co-wrote her twist on “Baby Got Back” alongside Stuart Walker, Madison Kozak, Thomas (Tawgs) Salter and Anthony Ray (aka Sir Mix-a-Lot).

With more new music and tour dates on the way, Walker’s gearing up to perform at The American Performance Horseman, opening for Luke Bryan at Globe Life Field on 3/8, and the Tailgate Party at Texas Live! on 3/9.

Seen above hoping this pic wouldn't land in our inbox are (l-r) RECORDS Nashville’s EVP of A&R Joe Fisher, Manager Brad Turcotte, Walker, RECORDS Nashville A&R Laurel Kittleson-Cobb and Easler.

Photo credit: Helena Akhtar