Keith Urban is set to return to American Idol as a guest mentor, marking his first appearance on the show in six years.

For the season finale, Urban will be one of the mentors to the Top 3 contestants, and each finalist will have the opportunity to choose and perform one of Urban's Grammy-winning hits for the show.

Additionally, Urban—who served as a judge from seasons 12-15—will also take the stage during the three-hour show for his own performance.

Peep the finale on Sunday (5/21) on ABC at 8pm ET/5pm PT.

ACM New Female Artist of the Year Hailey Whitters savors her victory with co-managers Chris Kappy of Make Wake Artists and Matt Graham of Range Media Partners. Because the Pigasus/Songs & Daughters/Big Loud breakout was in such a fabulous mood, her managers decided to wait to tell her where this photo would be running. Why kill the vibe, right?

Bruce Kalmick's WHY&HOW, home to Breland, KALEO, Whiskey Myers, Chase Rice, Danielle Bradbery and more, has struck a partnership with Red Light Management, effective immediately.

The pact will create an even larger family for WHY&HOW and allow the company to collaborate across all areas of the music business and provide enhanced resources.

Kalmick founded WHY&HOW in 2020. The full-service management operation has grown to over 20 staff members across marketing, creative, brand endorsements and more, who will all join Red Light Management's robust operations.

"With our new partnership, WHY&HOW is gaining the opportunity to learn from one of the most influential executives in the music business, Coran Capshaw," Kalmick stated. "We can't wait to get started on this exciting new chapter."

"We’re excited about our new partnership with WHY&HOW," Capshaw said. "Bruce has put together a great group of artists as well as a very talented management team. We look forward to working alongside them to help enhance all aspects of their business."

Bruce finds special issues of our print magazine ideal for wrapping up the many trout he’s pulled out of Caney Fork.

Carrie Underwood celebrated her 15th year as a Grand Ole Opry member over the weekend with a two-show performance. Backstage, the Opry marked the occasion by presenting her with a commemorative print and a cupcake tower by IveyCake.

Having made her Opry debut on 6/10/05, just two weeks after winning American Idol, Underwood was officially inducted on 5/10/08 by fellow Oklahoman, Opry member Garth Brooks.

On the heels of completing her 43-city U.S. arena Denim & Rhinestones Tour, the multi-Grammy, CMA and ACM-award winner recently announced she’ll return to her Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency and launch her exclusive year-round SiriusXM channel, Carrie’s Country, in June.

Underwood will also return to the Opry on 6/6 to perform as part of the "unofficial kick-off party" for the 50th CMA Fest. Highlights from the show, which will also feature performances from The Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Anderson, Josh Turner and Lainey Wilson, will air on 6/10 on the Opry’s Circle Network.

Seen above hoping we wouldn’t find the entrance are (l-r) Underwood and Grand Ole Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers.

Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

ACM Lifting Lives took over Topgolf The Colony in North Texas for its all-star Tee-Off and Rock On golf tournament—an industry favorite of ACM Awards week—as well as the ACM Lifting Lives LIVE benefit concert.

The show featured performances from ACM Award nominees Bailey Zimmerman, ERNEST, Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean (pictured below) and HARDY in front of a packed crowd out on the golf green. The event was hosted by SiriusXM's Storme Warren, who also presented HARDY and Wilson with the ACM Award for Best Visual Media of the Year for "Wait in the Truck" after the event's performance segment.

Pictured above teeing off at the event, Big Loud/Back Blocks/Republic's Lily Rose.

RCA Nashville's Nate Smith, a contender for New Male Artist at this week's ACM Awards, does a bit of classic trade-photo posing with Sony Nashville boss Randy Goodman, who assured him this shot would run somewhere nice, like The Tennessean. Anyhoo, Nate's self-titled debut album had a strong chart debut recently and has earned rapturous reviews. He recently made his Stagecoach bow and is preparing to hit 40 cities this this summer on the road with Thomas Rhett.

BMG/BBR Music Group welcomes Peter Strickland as its new general manager.

Having been with the label for nearly two years in a consultancy role, Strickland steps into his new position effective immediately.

Reporting to BMG Nashville President Jon Loba, Strickland will oversee the financial and daily operations of the label, streamline distribution channels and physical-product sales as well as spearhead the comedy initiatives.

Prior to joining the label, Strickland held several executive-level roles at Warner Music Nashville, including evp/gm and CMO.

Additionally, he created two comedy imprints and executive produced Jimmy Fallon’s 2013 Grammy-winning comedy album, Blow Your Pants Off, before opening his management company, Marathon Talent, in 2018.

“Peter and I worked together early in our career, where I had the chance to see his creativity, passion and energy up close,” said Loba. “Beyond that, he is the consummate team player and was the obvious choice to step into the GM role upon Rick Shedd’s retirement.”

“It’s an honor to be asked to join this incredible team,” added Strickland. “Jon Loba has built a great culture at BMG, and in reuniting with Jon, I look forward to contributing to the next chapter.”

Photo Credit: James Isaac Jones Photography

Ed Sheeran and HARDY will make his ACM Awards performance debuts, Carly Pearce and Trisha Yearwood will perform a special medley to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Yearwood winning Female Artist of the Year, and Cole Swindell and Jo Dee Messina will perform the ACM-nominated “She Had Me At Heads Carolina - REMIX” at 58th Academy of Country Music Awards.

The Academy of Country Music has revealed it lineup of special performances, collaborations and presenters for Thursday’s event at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

In addition to the other collaborations, Ashley McBryde will perform “Bonfire At Tina’s” with Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack and Pillbox Patti featuring John Osborne on guitar.

Clark is among the presenters, which will include Gabby Barrett, BRELAND, Mickey Guyton, Jon Pardi, Tanya Tucker and Keith Urban.

Bobby Bones will be featured throughout the night with artist interviews and special moments. Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch will livestream the show beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT on Thursday (5/11).