On Friday (3/24) My Kind of Country premiered on Apple TV+. The new take on a music competition show is executive produced by Jason Owen, Reese Witherspoon and Kacey Musgraves, who herself was a contestant on Nashville Star.

The eight-part series will see scouts Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton and Orville Peck's 12 hand-picked "diverse" contestants from around the world compete in Nashville, where they are treated to performing at iconic venues and practicing at Dark Horse Studios. The scouts will host showcases and work with up-and-coming artists as they set out on "a global search for country music's next big star."

The winner will receive "global exposure" across the Apple TV+ and Apple Music platforms. New episodes air Fridays.

Stephen Wilson Jr. has signed to Big Loud Records, joining a stacked roster that includes the likes of Morgan Wallen and Hardy. The Nashville-based “Death Cab for Country” artist has also inked a deal with Alicia Jones at ALJ MGMT and Jordy Dettmer at Range Media Partners for management. He remains repped by Brett Saliba and Lance Roberts at UTA.

Coinciding with the announcement is the release of Wilson Jr.’s debut EP, bon aqua. The seven-song collection compiles six previously released songs and the new single “American Gothic” featuring the song’s co-writer, Hailey Whitters. Wilson is currently on the road supporting Whitters and joins The Lone Bellow next month before performing at Bourbon and Beyond Festival and CMA Fest later this year.

“Everything starts with good water,” he explained of the EP's title. "We are made of mostly water. The world is mostly water. As a microbiologist, I used to test water for pharmaceutical companies and everything from shampoo to aspirin to pet food to anything you can think of requires water. Not just any water—good water. I was in charge of making sure the water was good. In and around Bon Aqua, Tennessee is coincidentally where I wrote and conceived most of this EP and filmed most of the videos and visual aspects hence the name. It is known for its good water and it only made sense for it to all start there.”

Wilson Jr. draws his influence from a cornucopia of acts, including The National, Willie Nelson and Nirvana. His songs have been recorded by Caitlyn Smith, Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, MacKenzie Porter, Sixpence None the Richer and Leigh Nash. Find the EP here and tour dates on Wilson Jr.'s website.

Seen above in the photo applauding our absence is Wilson Jr. (red vest) and along with Big Loud Records, ALJ MGMT and Range Media Partners.

Tuesday night (3/21) BBR Music Group and BMG Nashville hosted a special evening celebrating the release of Stoned Cold Country – A 60th Anniversary Tribute Album To The Rolling Stones.

The label presented a panel conversation on the making of the star-studded album featuring producer Robert Deaton and three of Music City's brightest stars who contributed to the project: Lainey Wilson, T.J. Osborne of Brothers Osborne and Elvie Shane.

We paid tribute to the album's release on Thursday night with our own personal Stoned session at home. Pictured above at the release party: (L-R) (L-R) Greg Ham (one:eight Entertainment), Jon Loba (President, BMG Nashville), Jay McDowell (The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum), Robert Deaton, Lainey Wilson, T.J. Osborne, Elvie Shane, JoJamie Hahr (SVP BBR/BMG Nashville).

Morgan Wallen has a club gig: ACM Lifting Lives’ Topgolf Tee-Off and Rock On Fundraiser on 5/10, ahead of the 58th ACM Awards.

The concert portion of the fundraiser, to take place after the golf tournament, brings together Wallen, HARDY, Lainey Wilson, ERNEST, Bailey Zimmerman and DJ 13lackbeard to the stage on the Topgolf green to raise money and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives.

General admission tickets on the green are separate from the Topgolf Tee-Off and Rock On tournament access and will be available to ACM Members, ACM A-List subscribers, 58th ACM Awards ticket holders, and Topgolf Friends and Family through an exclusive presale starting today (3/23) at noon CST. Remaining tickets will be available for a general public on-sale beginning Friday.

"ACM Lifting Lives does great work providing aid in times of need to folks inside and outside of the music industry,” Wallen said of the organization's work. “My band and I are excited to help them raise funds to continue doing this amazing work.”

For a shot at getting tickets, go here. For help with your short game, don’t ask us—we’re trying to master pickleball.

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Warner Music Nashville singer-songwriter Ian Munsick to the Red Barrel Lounge stage at the Academy’s new headquarters in Nashville’s Wedgewood Houston neighborhood on Monday (3/20). Munsick played several songs off his forthcoming album White Buffalo, which is scheduled for a 4/7 release. The project serves as the follow-up to Munsick's 2020 debut, Coyote Cry. Pre-orders are available here.

Seen in the photo wishing they had a white buffalo to ride away from HITS (l-r) are ACM Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations and Board Administration & Governance Tommy Moore, ACM Vice Chair Ebie McFarland, Munsick, ACM CEO Damon Whiteside and ACM Director, Artist & Industry Relations and Board Administration & Governance Maddy Stessman.

(No buffaloes were harmed in the writing of this article.)

The Country Music Association has introduced a new membership structure, offering four tiers of membership for prospective and current music industry personnel.

The tiers are Student for high school or college students at least 16 years old; Industry for current and prospective music industry professionals who don’t work the majority of time in country music; Professional for those who primarily work within country music; and Lifetime for individuals who have achieved prominent industry accolades.

“As part of our strategic planning, every few years, we take a deeper look at CMA’s operations to ensure that we are set up for success,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. “In looking specifically at CMA membership, we saw the need to not only create growth opportunities with our industry’s future in mind, but to also ensure our organization and what we offer our industry remains relevant. It’s important that our business recognize why CMA exists and how we can be instrumental not only in the genre’s success, but the success of each and every individual who has an investment or interest in country music.”

CMA has also redesigned its member website that will feature on-demand educational videos and unique member-focused content, an events calendar including special CMA programming, opportunities to connect with fellow CMA members, and information about engaging further within CMA.

“Throughout the past several years, including the work we did to support our industry through the pandemic, we truly understand the value of listening,” says Industry Relations & Philanthropy SVP Tiffany Kerns. “We cannot assume we know what our members want. What excites me most is seeing how feedback from those within country music and even music industry professionals working in other genres has directly influenced what CMA membership has become. We recognize the importance of wrapping our arms around individuals even before they step foot into our industry, and we intend to support them throughout their careers.”

Big Machine Label Group had something to celebrate this week after three of Brantley Gilbert's singles reached new RIAA milestones. BMLG's Mike Rittberg and Scott Borchetta were on deck to present Gilbert with three plaques for the now 6x-platinum "Bottoms Up," the 2x-platinum "One Hell of an Amen" and the 2x-platinum "The Weekend."

Seen in the photo undoubtedly overjoyed by our absence is (l-r) Rittberg, Borchetta, Gilbert, The Valory Music Co.’s Ashley Sidoti, Chris Palmer and George Briner.

On 4/28, BMLG’s EVP of Creative Sandi Spika Borchetta is hitting the dance floor to raise money for families experiencing homelessness during the 14th annual Dancing for Safe Haven.

In partnership with her husband, BMLG Chairman/CEO Scott Borchetta, the pair’s Music Has Value fund will also serve as a presenting sponsor for the fundraiser.

Fundraising efforts will include exclusive experience packages such as a private dinner and performance from Valory Music Co.’s Brantley Gilbert, plus a recording deal with BMLG that encompasses a single to be written and produced alongside Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated producer Julian Raymond. All proceeds will directly benefit the Safe Haven Family Shelter.

“I’m honored to be a part of Dancing for Safe Haven, raising cash with the assistance of our amazing, generous friends and family and having fun dancing! All donations big and small are welcome, appreciated, and make a difference for the families at Safe Haven,” shared Sandi.

“This organization and event are so important to us, which is why we are also proud to announce that Music Has Value is a presenting sponsor of the event. We hope to see everyone there,” added Scott.

For tickets, tables and donations, click here.