SET FOR SEPTEMBER 15, 4-6:30 P.M.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, Big Loud announces its second annual AMERICANAFEST Showcase, in partnership with Aviator Nation Dreamland. The curated special event will highlight the genre’s remarkable talent with performances by Kashus Culpepper, Thelma & James, Coleman Jennings, Alex Lambert, Nathan Bess and Waylon Payne. Set for Tuesday, September 15, the event will begin at 4 p.m. and is open to all ages. Admission is free on a first-come first-served basis, RSVP here.

Kashus Culpepper: In just two years since his first release, Alabama-born artist-writer Kashus Culpepper has emerged as one of music’s most exciting new voices. Nominated for Americana Honors & Awards Emerging Act of the Year, Culpepper’s distinct sound and lauded debut album Act I have earned him critical acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone, Billboard, SPIN and more. He has landed on numerous prestigious artist-to-watch lists and shared the stage with the likes of Leon Bridges, Sierra Ferrell and more.

Thelma & James: Thelma & James have quickly turned an unexpected musical partnership into one of country music’s most talked-about new acts. Formed by married Nashville-based singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, the duo recently earned their first ACM Award nomination and wrapped their first stadium tour with Luke Combs. Their breakout song “Happy Ever After You” has surpassed 30 million global streams and set the scene for resonating new songs like “Home In Your Broken Heart” and “Alternate Ending.”

Alex Lambert: Singer-songwriter Alex Lambert is carving out a distinct place in music with his soulful sound and affinity for country, R&B and timeless groove. The Texas native announced his signing with Big Loud Texas in January, joining the buzzed-about imprint founded by Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall. Drawing influence from artists like John Legend, Amos Lee, Kacey Musgraves and Leon Bridges, Lambert’s fan-favorite songs like “Think I’m In Love” and “You Make Sense To Me” serve as statements of artistic intent. Recently touring with Paul Cauthen, Lambert will join Billy Currington and Kip Moore on the road this month and next, with headline dates in September as well.

Coleman Jennings: With a hypnotic vibrato made to cut through the haze of modern life, and an old-school dedication to Western twang, Big Loud Texas singer-songwriter Coleman Jennings can seem like a conduit to a different time – or even, a different spiritual plane. Earlier this year the country provocateur raised his distinctive voice for all to hear on his debut record Lead You Home, working with lauded GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Dave Cobb to bring the 10 riveting songs to life. Never afraid to call out dull conventionality, the Texas native is a student of music with inspirations like Townes Van Zandt, The Eagles, Blaze Foley, John Hartford and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Waylon Payne: A poetic outlaw, Waylon Payne made an indelible mark with his timeless debut album The Drifter. Building on the legacy of that album and the widespread acclaim of Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me, Payne’s Big Loud Texas debut, Wayward, is out now. The son of GRAMMY® Award-winning country singer Sammi Smith and Jody Payne of Willie Nelson’s band, he dons the name of his godfather Waylon Jennings. Multi-talented with the charm of a seasoned entertainer, Waylon appeared in the award-winning Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line and biopic Crazy.

Nathan Bess: Hailing from the hills of Charleston, West Virginia, Nathan Bess writes songs that cut to the bone of Appalachian life. A full-time firefighter, his music explores the struggles, stories and resilience of his home state – following in the footsteps of Appalachian country music stalwarts like Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson. Focused on the next chapter in his career, Bess looks to continue the tradition of American storytelling as one of the most promising new artists in the space.

ABOUT BIG LOUD RECORDS

Recently celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Big Loud Records’ head-turning success story began in 2015. Counting over 102 billion global on-demand streams, 38 No. 1 U.S. country airplay hits, 60 No. 1 country hits across international territories, three history-making Billboard Hot 100 all-genre No. 1s, over 150 RIAA certified titles, and more, the Big Loud Records roster is home to genre standouts Alex Lambert, Ashley Cooke, Brock Phillips, Chandler Walters, Charles Wesley Godwin, Cody Lohden, Coleman Jennings, Dallas Smith, Dylan Gossett, ERNEST, Hailey Benedict, HARDY, HIXTAPE, Jake Worthington, Julianna Rankin, Kashus Culpepper, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Watkins, MacKenzie Porter, Morgan Wallen, Owen Riegling, Stephen Wilson Jr., The 502’s, The Droptines, Thelma & James, Timmy McKeever and Waylon Payne. Big Loud Records was honored as the No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songs Label in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 + 2025, the 2022, 2023, 2024 + 2025 MusicRow Label Group of the Year and was named Platinum Labelat the 2021, 2023 + 2025 CRS / Country Aircheck Awards. Big Loud was also the Country Aircheck/Mediabase Label of the Year in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and CCMA Record Company of the Year in 2023 and 2024.

ABOUT AVIATOR NATION DREAMLAND

Aviator Nation Dreamland is an event space, music venue, bar and restaurant established in 2020 by Aviator Nation founder, Paige Mycoskie. Originally launched in Malibu, California, Dreamland was created as a home for music and entertainment, offering the highest quality sound for an intimate venue on the west side of Los Angeles. The Malibu location carries a deep musical legacy. When the building was known as the Malibu Inn, it hosted legendary performances by artists like The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and The Beach Boys. Even earlier, in the 1970s, Neil Young owned the property and dubbed it the Crazy Horse Saloon. Inspired by this rich history, Mycoskie transformed the space into a vibrant tribute to music and artistic expression. With immersive sound, a creative build-out, and sweeping views of one of the world’s best surf spots, Dreamland Malibu offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Now, that experience expands to Nashville. This new venue blends Malibu’s laid-back luxury with Nashville’s deep-rooted musical culture, offering an unforgettable destination for both locals and visitors. With world-class sound, an artistic atmosphere, and a passion for music at its core, Dreamland continues to be an experience like no other—no matter which city you’re in. With two iconic venues and 20 Aviator Nation retail stores, we offer endless opportunities to collaborate with like-minded partners. We’re building a culture driven movement that extends far beyond the stage.

ABOUT AMERICANAFEST

AMERICANAFEST brings together hundreds of showcasing artists, industry leaders and music fans throughout the most notable venues in Nashville, Tennessee. To complement the nightly official showcases curated by a festival committee, multiple special events during the day allow agencies, labels and other industry entities to highlight their roster. The destination event also offers a three-day educational conference with networking opportunities, numerous panels, and premium industry interaction. The annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony at Ryman Auditorium recognizes the groundbreaking figures of Americana music and celebrates the music achievements of the past year. AMERICANAFEST serves as a fundraiser supporting the initiatives of the Americana Music Association and its Foundation and will take place in Nashville from September 15-19, 2026.

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Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post BIG LOUD TO HOST 2026 AMERICANAFEST SHOWCASE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AVIATOR NATION DREAMLAND appeared first on Big Loud.

JOINING THE RED CLAY STRAYS ON TOUR LATER THIS MONTH AHEAD OF A CO-HEADLINING U.S. RUN WITH CHARLES WESLEY GODWIN AND HEADLINE DATES IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND THIS FALL

PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE RAMBLIN’ HERE

WATCH RAMBLIN’ ALBUM TRAILER HERE

LISTEN TO “LOVING YOU LIKE THAT” HERE

NASHVILLE, TENN. / AUSTIN, TEXAS – Multi-Platinum singer, songwriter, and producer Dylan Gossett reveals his highly anticipated sophomore album, Ramblin’, will be released September 25th via Big Loud Texas / Mercury Records. Alongside the announcement, Gossett unveils the album’s newest single, “Loving You Like That” today. 

Pre-order / pre-save Ramblin’ here, and listen to “Loving You Like That” here.

Ramblin’ marks the next chapter for one of country music’s fastest-rising artists. Building on the foundation of his critically acclaimed 2025 debut album, Westward, the new record expands the deeply personal songwriting that has become his signature. Written after years of relentless touring around the world, Ramblin’ finds Gossett returning home to Austin, Texas, with a renewed perspective on love, relationships, and the place that shaped him. See the full album tracklist below. 

On the album, Dylan shares, “Where Westward is all about this change of life I went through and the craziness of traveling out West and life flipping upside down, Ramblin’ is about coming back home and having real relationships when I was off the road. Relationships with friends, with significant others, with family, with faith. I’m grounding myself in this music.”

“Loving You Like That” offers another glimpse into Ramblin’, pairing Gossett’s unmistakable Texas-rooted storytelling with a heartfelt portrait of enduring love. The track follows his recent deeply personal releases “My Boy,” written to celebrate the birth of his first child, and “Honeysuckle,” another single from the album, reflecting on home, love, and the people who keep him grounded.

Fresh off select North American stadium dates supporting Mumford & Sons, Gossett will join The Red Clay Strays on the road later this month before co-headlining a U.S. tour with Charles Wesley Godwin this fall. Continuing his rapid global ascent, he’ll also launch a headline tour across Australia and New Zealand later this fall. See the full list of upcoming tour dates below.

Over the past three years, Dylan Gossett has emerged as one of country music’s most exciting new voices. Hailing from Austin, Texas, the 27-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer has amassed nearly 1.5 billion career streams, led by his breakthrough anthem “Coal,” now certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA in the U.S. and Multi-Platinum internationally. Gossett has earned acclaim for his authentic songwriting while sharing music with collaborators including Noeline Hofmann and Ole 60. His meteoric rise has also seen him tour alongside some of today’s biggest artists, including George Strait, Zach Top, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Noah Kahan, Morgan Wallen, and HARDY, while appearing at marquee festivals including Stagecoach and Austin City Limits Music Festival. Recognized by Spotify and Amazon as an Artist to Watch and named to MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing list, Gossett continues to cement himself as one of the defining new voices in modern country and Americana.

RAMBLIN’ TRACKLIST

1. “Loving You Like That”
2. “Clothesline”
3. “Headed Back To Austin”
4. “Love and Such”
5. “The Old Me”
6. “Ramblin’”
7. “Honeysuckle”
8. “Head In The Clouds”
9. “Running From The Sun”
10. “Snow Melt”
11. “Just Fine”
12. “All Mine”

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

Aug 16 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford Premier Center ~

Aug 18 – Grand Forks, ND – Alerus Center ~

Aug 19 – Bismarck, ND – Bismarck Event Center ~

Aug 21 – Bozeman, MT – Brick Breeden Fieldhouse ~

Aug 22 – Missoula, MT – Adams Center ~

Aug 28 – Lubbock, TX – Cook’s Garage ^

Aug 29 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheater ^

Sept 2 – West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center ~

Sept 4 – Stateline, NV – Lake Tahoe Outdoor Amphitheater ~

Sept 11 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center ~

Sept 12 – Ontario, CA – Toyota Arena ~

Sept 16 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena ~

Sept 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Arena ~

Sept 23 – Baton Rouge, LA – Texas Club *RESCHEDULED DATE

Sept 26 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle ^

Sept 29 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 ^

Oct 1 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater ^

Oct 2 – Asheville, NC – Hellbender ^

Oct 3 – Louisville, KY – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall *RESCHEDULED DATE

Oct 16 – College Station, TX – Farmer’s Fest

Oct 24 – Waco, TX – Silobration

Oct 27 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed

Oct 30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Citizens Live at The Wylie ^

Nov 6 – Robinsonville, MS – Bluesville @ Horseshoe Tunica

Nov 20-22 – St. Petersburg, FL – St. Pete Country Fest

Nov 21 – Apopka, FL – Apopka Amphitheater –

Dec 3 – Perth, AUS – ICF Outdoor

Dec 5 – Brisbane, AUS – Fortitude Music Hall

Dec 6 – Sydney, AUS – Sydney Opera House Forecourt

Dec 8 – Melbourne, AUS – Festival Hall

Dec 11 – Auckland, NZ – Town Hall

Dec 12 – North Canterbury, NZ – Waipara Winehouse

~ Supporting The Red Clay Strays

^ Co-Headline Tour with Charles Wesley Godwin

ABOUT DYLAN GOSSETT

Hailing from Austin, Texas, 27-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer Dylan Gossett has quickly become one of the leading new voices in Texas Country with his signature blend of Americana and Red Dirt influences and lyricism rooted in his Southern upbringing. The multi-platinum certified artist has amassed nearly 1.5 billion streams across his catalog to date. He first broke through in 2023 with his breakout single “Coal,” now certified 2x Platinum in the U.S., Canada and Ireland, Platinum in Australia, and Gold in the U.K. Praised by The New York Times as “one of the year’s best country songs,” “Coal” established Gossett as one of Texas Country’s leading new voices.

Gossett continued his rise with his EPs No Better Time [2023] and Songs In The Gravel [2024] before releasing his critically acclaimed 2025 debut album, Westward, via Big Loud Texas / Mercury Records. Self-written and self-produced, the album chronicled his whirlwind rise and was led by singles “Like I Do,” “American Trail,” and “Sweet Lady.” As his audience continued to grow, Gossett sold more than 200,000 headline tickets worldwide and performed at marquee festivals including Stagecoach and Austin City Limits Music Festival. Recognized as one of country music’s fastest-rising artists, Spotify and Amazon named him an “Artist to Watch,” while MusicRow included him on its “Next Big Thing” list.

Earlier this spring, Gossett released the deeply personal single “My Boy,” celebrating the birth of his first child and dedicating the song to his growing family, before returning with “Honeysuckle,” a heartfelt reflection on home, love, and the relationships that matter most. Most recently, he announced the release of his upcoming new single, “Loving You Like That.” He recently joined Mumford & Sons on select stadium dates of their North American tour before he’s set to hit the road with The Red Clay Strays later this summer. This fall, he’ll co-headline a U.S. tour with Charles Wesley Godwin and headline shows across Australia and New Zealand.

CONNECT WITH DYLAN GOSSETT

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

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Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com 

Marisa Bianco + Nicole Hajjar | Mercury Records

marisa.bianco@umusic.com, nicole.hajjar@umusic.com

The post MULTI-PLATINUM TEXAS SINGER & SONGWRITER DYLAN GOSSETT ANNOUNCES SOPHOMORE ALBUM RAMBLIN’ ARRIVING SEPTEMBER 25TH appeared first on Big Loud.

PREVIOUSLY RELEASED “RICH MAN,” IS OUT NOW

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, dynamic singer-songwriter Brock Phillips and global artist Dallas Smith release “Leave Me Like A Backroad” via Big Loud Records and Local Hay Records. From signing with Big Loud Records and Local Hay Records earlier this summer to receiving his first CCMA nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Phillips has a promising journey ahead.

“Leave Me Like A Backroad” was written by Phillips, Chase McDaniel and Matt Mulhare. A country-rock anthem about leaving the bar with a girl who looks like “90’s Shania,” they sing:

I’ll let you turn the key

Go F to E

Don’t let off the throttle

Kick the dust

Tear me up

Like you’re my Silverado

It’s green lights in that driver’s seat

Drive me wild at two lane speed

Baby put your love on me

Then go ahead and leave me like a backroad

Adding to his catalog, Phillips recently released “Rich Man,” which cleverly describes the weight of heartbreak with monetary value. His debut song, “Something Else,” released last fall was named one of Holler‘s “Best New Country Songs,” which explores a familiar, temporary relationship becoming more permanent.

Fresh off opening for Liam St. John yesterday (8/6) in Vancouver, Phillips will play the 2026 CCMA Songwriters Unplugged Series on September 16 in Saskatoon, SK. To stay up to date with Brock Phillips, please visit https://brockphillipsmusic.com/.

ABOUT BROCK PHILLIPS

Singer-songwriter / producer Brock Phillips has been immersed in music all his life. Wearing many musical hats out of both passion and necessity, Phillips began his journey studying music in high school at Langley Fine Arts before continuing to Berklee College of Music, where he began creating his own personal style and sound influenced by Chris Stapleton, John Mayer, Kings of Leon and Ariel Posen. Prior to moving to Music City in 2024, he was booking weekly residencies at clubs and bars, which morphed into opening gigs for multi-platinum artists like Dallas Smith, Josh Ross and MacKenzie Porter. Earlier this year, he announced his signing with Big Loud Records and Local Hay Records. With more new music on the horizon, his songwriting prowess is on display with recent “Rich Man” and latest “Leave Me Like A Backroad.”

CONNECT WITH BROCK PHILLIPS

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

ABOUT DALLAS SMITH

Big Loud/Local Hay Records recording artist Dallas Smith continues to build on a legacy of genre-defying success as one of the most celebrated voices in country music. A multi-Platinum entertainer, Smith first rose to prominence as frontman of the multi-Platinum rock band Default before making a landmark transition into country music, where he has since become a defining force in the genre.

His career highlights include 14 No. 1 singles at Canadian country radio, 21 Gold-certified singles, nine Platinum-certified singles, four Gold-certified albums and two Platinum-certified albums alongside more than 748 million global streams to date. Smith is a 3x consecutive CCMA Entertainer of the Year and a two-time JUNO Award winner, further cementing his status among the most awarded Canadian country artists of his generation.

In 2023, Smith made his debut on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage, marking a significant milestone in his career and international recognition within country music’s most iconic institution. Known for his commanding live performances and connection with audiences, Smith has also earned a reputation as one of the genre’s premier touring artists. Following a 52-date tour in 2025, he stepped back from the road to focus on family life, building his dream home and returning to the studio with renewed creative energy. Now in 2026, Smith returns with “Good Time Goes,” the first release of a new chapter in his career.

CONNECT WITH DALLAS SMITH

WEBSITE|X|FACEBOOK|INSTAGRAM|TIKTOK|YOUTUBE

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Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post SINGER-SONGWRITER BROCK PHILLIPS AND GLOBAL ARTIST DALLAS SMITH COLLAB ON NEW SONG “LEAVE ME LIKE A BACKROAD”  appeared first on Big Loud.

5 YEARS OF “JUST A LITTLE WHILE” & COULD IT GET BETTER THAN THIS 

FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF LABEL DEBUT ALBUM EASY STREET

PLAYFUL SMASH “YOUR NONSENSE MAKES SENSE” CONTINUES TO MAKE A SPLASH WITH NEARLY 25 MILLION STREAMS

PRE-SALE BEGINS TUESDAY (8/11) AT 10 A.M. LOCAL

PUBLIC ON-SALE BEGINS FRIDAY (8/14) AT 10 A.M. LOCAL 

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, The 502s announce their upcoming Just A Little Run beginning this fall with stops in Atlanta, Charleston, Nashville and more. The name takes inspiration from their 2021 viral hit “Just A Little While,” which has logged over 170Mstreams to date from their album Could It Get Better Than This.

“Five years ago, Could It Get Better Than This changed everything for us – it took us from tiny rooms to stages around the world,” shares The 502s. “To celebrate that journey, we’re hitting rewind with the Just a Little Run: a run of intimate, sweaty venues. We can’t wait to be back shoulder to shoulder with the fans who have been with us from the beginning.”

Pre-sale for Just A Little Run begins on Tuesday (8/11) at 10 a.m. local followed by public on-sale on Friday (8/14) at 10 a.m. local.

The run celebrates several milestones including five years of “Just A Little While” from their album Could It Get Better Than This and one year since the release of their Big Loud Records’ label debut album Easy Street. Their fourth studio album Easy Street includes playful smash “Your Nonsense Makes Sense” as well as “Summer Fling” that the band debuted on Good Morning America.

Affectionately dubbed “the happiest band on Earth,” The 502s embarked on their The Up, Up, Up The Coast and Across The Pond Tour last weekend,with remaining stops in Nantucket, Queens, United Kingdom, Ireland and more through early September. On their Nonsense All Night Tour earlier this year, “The 502s brought their blend of indie folk and feel-good energy…turning a weeknight into a celebration of music and positivity” (NYS Music).

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.the502s.com/.

The Up, Up, Up The Coast and Across The Pond Tour Dates

August 7 – Rocking The Docks Music Series – Lewes, DE

August 8 – The United Theatre – Westerly, RI

August 9 – The Chicken Box – Nantucket, MA

August 11 – Levitate Backyard – Marshfield, MA

August 13 – The Stone Pony – Asbury Park, NJ

August 14 – Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center – Simsbury, CT

August 15 – Archer Music Hall – Allentown, PA

August 16 – Rockaway Hotel – Queens, NY

August 28 – The Long Road Festival – Leicestershire, UK $

August 30 – Set Theatre – Kilkenny, IE

August 31 – Cyprus Avenue – Cork, IE

September 1 – Dolan’s – Limerick, IE

September 2 – Róisín Dubh – Galway, IE

September 4 – De Oosterpoort – Groningen, NL

September 5 – Once in A Blue Moon Festival – The Hague, NL $

September 6 – Sound of Nashville – Cologne, DE $

$ Festival

Just A Little Run Dates

October 7 – Vinyl Center Stage – Atlanta, GA

October 8 – Radio Room – Greenville, SC

October 9 – Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC

October 10 – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC *

October 11 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC

October 12 – The Basement – Nashville, TN

*Supporting JJ Grey and MOFRO

ABOUT THE 502s

The 502s are a beach folk band from Florida, often called “the happiest band on Earth.” With breezy banjos, shout-along choruses and an energy that bursts like a cannonball into a swimming pool, their music feels like sunshine you can dance to. Their song “Just A Little While” made a viral splash with over 170M streams to date. Pouring their unbridled energy and eclectic musicality into their most adventurous offering to date, The 502s’ album Easy Street is out now. The 13-song collection features playful smash “Your Nonsense Makes Sense” and will have you barefoot in the sand, laughing with friends and singing at the top of your lungs—even if it’s just in your kitchen. Currently on their The Up, Up, Up The Coast and Across The Pond Tour which wraps in September, they will embark on their Just A Little Run dates for the month of October.

CONNECT WITH THE 502s

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

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Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post THE 502S ANNOUNCE UPCOMING JUST A LITTLE RUN, BEGINNING THIS OCTOBER appeared first on Big Loud.

         HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ASHLEY COOKE DUE OUT 8/14 

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, country hitmaker Ashley Cooke has announced the cities that made me tour, a run of special acoustic performances celebrating the release of her new self-titled album, presented by Surfside. For a week in August, Cooke will criss-cross the country with a series of pop-up appearances featuring intimate performances of songs from ashley cooke, fan meet-and-greets and exclusive merch, all taking place in towns that were formative to Cooke’s upbringing and adulthood alike — a perfect backdrop for the most personal music of her career. Go here to RSVP and check out the whole routing below. Pre-order/pre-save ashley cookehere.

First shared on socials (see here), Cooke reflects, “this album was built on the memories and moments that shaped me into who I am, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend release week than taking a trip down memory lane with you. each of these cities have impacted my life growing up in different eras and are truly the fabric of my tapestry so far – I want you guys to become part of it ”

Everything kicks off at home in Nashville, TN on August 14, marking ashley cooke‘s release day with a tour of local haunts (stay tuned). From there, the cities that made me run will continue on to Milwaukee, WI, Cooke’s birthplace, before visiting towns she lived in through the years: Pleasanton and Studio City representing Cooke’s youth in California, then Sarasota and Parkland from later stints in Florida. The shows wrap by going all the way back to West Lafayette, IN, where Cooke’s parents met.

Together, the cities that made me tour dates gesture at the multi-faceted origin stories we all carry with us, paralleling the chaotic period of self-discovery depicted with complexity and confidence across ashley cooke‘s 15 tracks. Pulling from all the ups and downs of the years in which Cooke broke through as a definitive new country star, ashley cooke opens up about falling in love, the seesaw of spirals and clarity, and coming to terms with her own self-sabotaging tendencies, all sung with unflinching honesty shot through with sensitivity, sharp wit and breezy irreverence.

Last month, Cooke offered the latest preview of her sophomore album with “famous to frances” and “johnny ‘n june,” two singles produced by the legendary Dann Huff (Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift). Each wrestling with brief loves and the often-baffling landscape of modern romance, Cooke’s latest tracks are one facet of an assured, ambitious album stacked with standouts like her current country radio hit “baby blues” — a longtime fan favorite that climbed to the No. 1 spot on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown earlier this year — and co-writes with luminaries including Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, Ashley Gorley, and Hillary Lindsey and GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter JP Saxe. The album also features recent smashes “the hell you are,” “high school sweetheart” and “xs,” a March release that inspired Country Swag to hail Cooke as “one of the most exciting rising artists in the genre today.” Collectively, the album marks a bold evolution of her acclaimed 2023 debut shot in the dark, which featured the GOLD-certified “never til now” and country radio No. 1 hit “your place.”

After the cities that made me mini-tour concludes, Cooke will embark on the baby blues world tour — a global headline run launching September 17 at Globe Iron in Cleveland. The 28-date trek includes stops in major cities throughout the US and UK and concludes at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium. For more info on Cooke’s upcoming tour dates, visit ashleycooke.com.

the cities that made me tour:

AUGUST
14 | Nashville, TN – Stay tuned!  
15 | Milwaukee, WI – Rave Penthouse
16 | Pleasanton, CA  – Mavericks
17 | Studio City, CA – Desert 5 Spot
19 | Parkland, FL  – Sharkey’s
20 |  Sarasota, FL  – Big Top Brewing
22 | West Lafayette, IN – Neon Cactus

ABOUT ASHLEY COOKE

One of country’s most magnetic young storytellers, Ashley Cooke made her unforgettable debut with 2023’s shot in the dark and soon scored her first country radio No. 1 with “your place” — a GOLD-certified, Billboard Hot 100-charting hit that later won a 2024 CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year. With a voice that carries both tenderness and quiet confidence, she’s since garnered nominations for New Female Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. While building up an acclaimed body of work including 2025’s ace — a nine-song project featuring her country radio smash “the hell you are” and longtime fan favorite “baby blues” (a No. 1 hit on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown) — Cooke has collaborated with major artists ranging from pop superstar Joe Jonas (“All I Forgot”) to country hitmaker Brantley Gilbert (“Over When We’re Sober”). Known for her emotionally charged and high-energy live show, she’s also toured with heavy-hitters like Luke Bryan, Parker McCollum, Kane Brown, and recently hit the road as support for Jon Pardi’s HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD TOUR. As her profile continues to rise, Cooke made a cameo appearance in March on CBS’ Marshals (the newly launched spinoff of the blockbuster Western saga Yellowstone), just before heading overseas for C2C: Country to Country 2026 (including a performance at the iconic O2 Arena in London). With her self-titled sophomore album due out August 14, she’s now gearing up to take the stage at leading festivals like Boots and Hearts (8/9 in Ontario, Canada). Later this year, Cooke will embark on the baby blues world tour — a 28-date global headline run launching on September 17 and continuing through February 25 at the legendary Ryman Auditorium.

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY COOKE

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

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Media Contacts

Jensen Sussman | Sweet Talk Publicity

jensen@sweettalkpr.com 

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post ASHLEY COOKE ANNOUNCES THE CITIES THAT MADE ME TOUR appeared first on Big Loud.

OVER $1 MILLION WORTH OF INSTRUMENTS DONATED TO 26 SCHOOLS ACROSS TOURING CITIES BY MORGAN WALLEN FOUNDATION

NASHVILLE, TENN. –  Following the release of his highly-anticipated track “Been By Now”and Saturday’s sold-out tour finale at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Morgan Wallen has officially concluded the Still The Problem Tour. Across 23 sold-out stops at 12 North American stadiums, the tour saw shows at iconic venues including Bryant-Denny Stadium, Soldier Field, U.S. Bank Stadium, Allegiant Stadium, Michigan Stadium, University of Clemson’s Memorial Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field.

Along the historic run, Wallen became the first artist in history to perform two consecutive nights at Michigan Stadium as well as University of Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. Additionally, Wallen played the first concert at Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium in 43 years, following Hank Williams Jr’s 1983 show.

As a testament to the impact of the latest tour, Wallen’s latest album I’m The Problem has returned to the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart. The album, which debuted more than a year ago and has never left the Top 10, spends its 14th non-consecutive week at No.1.

After debuting the track at hissold-out show at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Wallen recently released his newest track and first solo release of the year – “Been By Now.” Upon release, the track debuted No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 – his 20th Top 10 track. The track also debuted No. 1 on the Streaming Songs and Digital Songs Sales charts. Wallen currently has two songs in the Top 5 including his duet with Ella Langley, “I Can’t Love You Anymore.”

In addition, “You Proof” has officially been certified Diamond by the RIAA. This becomes Wallen’s sixth Diamond-certification, maintaining the record for the most Diamond-certified singles by any country artist.

During the Still The Problem Tour run, Wallen donated a portion of every ticket sold to his Morgan Wallen Foundation (MWF) — which supports youth music and athletic programs and gives communities access to essentials in times of crisis. Those donations enabled MWF to donate over $1 million worth of instruments to 26 schools in need across U.S. touring cities.

One of the schools, Sto-Rox Junior/Senior High School in Pittsburgh, PA – received $40,000 worth of instruments. “We are truly honored and excited to receive this generous donation of musical instruments from the Morgan Wallen Foundation. This gift will have a lasting impact on our students and our music program by providing access to high-quality instruments that will inspire creativity, enhance learning opportunities, and help our young musicians continue to grow both artistically and personally,” Sonya Coleman, Sto-Rox School District Superintendentstates, “Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of giving back to communities and creating opportunities that will positively influence students for years to come.”

Throughout the run, Wallen transformed each tour stop into a one-of-a-kind hometown event, welcoming athletes and local legends for his now-iconic walkouts. Joined by an all-star lineup of special guests including Nick Saban, Caitlin Clark, Tim Tebow, John Elway, Ray Lewis, Aidan Hutchinson, Cooper Dejean, The Hughes Brothers and a special evening at night one in Baltimore where he was joined by members of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. Special guests for the tour, which varied by show, included Brooks & Dunn, HARDY, Thomas Rhett, Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason, Zach John King, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Blake Whiten, Hudson Westbrook and Flatland Cavalry.

ABOUT MORGAN WALLEN
Morgan Wallen sets the pace in, and beyond, country music – with Billboard calling him “one of the biggest stars in the music world right now.” With 22 No. 1 singles at country radio, 19 Billboard Music Awards to-date, more than 225 weeks spent atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart (the most in country music history), the highest selling country tour under his belt and more, Wallen has propelled country music to a global level in less than five years. Wallen’s fourth studio album, I’m The Problem, available now via Big Loud / Mercury, debuted at No. 1 globally across seven countries and has spent 14 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard  200 albums chart. His preceding albums – Dangerous: The Double Album and One Thing At A Time – have remained in the top 10 of the Billboard  200 chart for more than 100 weeks each, making him the first artist ever to achieve that feat. I’m The Problem has already yielded seven No. 1s at country radio, including the title track, which remained at No. 1 for eight weeks. Wallen recently wrapped his sold-out 23-stadium show Still The Problem Tour . With stops at 12 North American stadiums, the tour saw shows at iconic venues including Bryant-Denny Stadium, Soldier Field, U.S. Bank Stadium, Allegiant Stadium, Michigan Stadium, Memorial Stadium at Clemson and Lincoln Financial Field. Wallen donates a portion of every ticket sold to his Morgan Wallen Foundation — which supports programs for youth in the areas of sports and music. More at MorganWallenFoundation.org. 

MorganWallen.com | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter/X | YouTube

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Media Contacts for Morgan Wallen

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

Beau Benton | Mercury Records / REPUBLIC Collective

Beau.Benton@umusic.com

The post MORGAN WALLEN CLOSES OUT 2026 STILL THE PROBLEM TOUR, SELLING OUT ALL 23 STADIUM SHOWS ACROSS 12 CITIES appeared first on Big Loud.

“THE LONE STAR RISING STAR” – COWBOYS & INDIANS 

NASHVILLE, TENN. / AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, Big Loud Texas artist Julianna Rankin drops unforgettably clever “Double Knot,” out now. Described as “highly promising” by MusicRow, Rankin’s new song was produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning tastemakers Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall.

Teasing the new song on social media, Rankin playfully dedicated the track to, “all the boys and girls with a case of the seven-year itch.”

Putting a new spin on the familiar story of a fizzled-out marriage, “Double Knot” was written Oscar Charles, Bryan Simpson and Meg McRee. Swaggering steel guitar winds around Rankin’s smooth vocals on the track:

Baby when we tied the knot

We might’ve shoulda tied it in a double knot

Like the cans on the bumper that were hanging off

The caddy whipping out of the parking lot

For a minute we were in it, we were meant to be

Now we’re two single people, one diamond ring

Up for sale in an ole pawn shop

Rankin’s most recent steel-soaked honky-tonk song “Dusty Boots” was named one of Holler‘s new music discoveries. In addition to the winking “XYZ71s,” the Texas native dropped “Little Miss Behavin’” with an official music video starring Gretchen Wilson. Her label debut with Big Loud Texas, “Bad Habits and Good Horses,” was featured in the season finale of Landman via Paramount+.

Next month, Rankin will support Easton Corbin and Stoney LaRue before playing Everybody’s Somebody Festival with headliners Hayes Carll & The Band of Heathens in September. This fall, Rankin will support Mark Chesnutt and Casey Donahew on select dates. For more information or tickets, please visit juliannarankin.com. 

Julianna Rankin Tour Dates

August 14 – Rowdy’s Spring – Spring, TX = 

August 15 –  Bay City Civic Center – Bay City, TX / 

August 16 – The Redbird Listening Room – New Braunfels, TX

September 5 – Everybody’s Somebody Fest – Luckenbach, TX #

September 18 – Blackhawk Grill – Whitehouse, TX ^

September 19 – Cheatham Street Warehouse – San Marcos, TX

October 2 – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels, TX +

October 11 – Gruene Music & Wine Festival – New Braunfels, TX

October 23 – PigFest – Hendersonville, TN #

= Supporting Stoney LaRue

/ Supporting Easton Corbin 

^ Supporting Mark Chesnutt

+ Supporting Casey Donahew

# Festival

ABOUT JULIANNA RANKIN

Big Loud Texas singer-songwriter Julianna Rankin is an undeniable rising talent hailing from The Lone Star State. Raised on classic country and the blues with influences ranging from Keith Whitley, Bobbie Gentry and Waylon Jennings to Bonnie Raitt, Carole King and James Taylor, Rankin was emboldened to pursue a career in music after her family and peers alike discovered her talent while attending college at Texas A&M. After being discovered and signed by Big Loud Texas, her label debut “Bad Habits and Good Horses” was featured in the season finale of Landman via Paramount+. The “highly promising” (MusicRow) talent signed to Big Loud Texas Publishing and Sony Music Publishing earlier this year. 

CONNECT WITH JULIANNA RANKIN

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

#    #    #

Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post BIG LOUD TEXAS SINGER-SONGWRITER JULIANNA RANKIN RELEASES UNFORGETTABLY CLEVER “DOUBLE KNOT” appeared first on Big Loud.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, the Indiana-born, Nashville-based rising star Stephen Wilson Jr. released his new single “Hardwired”featuring Miranda Lambert. Co-written by Wilson Jr., Jesse Frasure, Adam Hood and Miranda Lambert, “Hardwired” is a vivid portrait of working-class perseverance that culminates in a stunning interpolation of The Pixies iconic song “Where Is My Mind?”. The song was released alongside a hypnotic and hair-raising visualizer directed by Jace Kartye.

“Hardwired” is anchored by Wilson Jr.’s signature gut string acoustic guitar playing that has earned him recognition from Guitar World and Premier Guitar, who recently featured him in a six-page print feature in their August 2026 issue.

“Hardwired” follows last month’s release of “Gary” (Live From CMA Fest 2026) and his most recent single “Preacher’s Kid,” which was named a Song You Need To Know by Rolling Stone and was featured in Billboard‘sNew Music Friday Guide. All Country News proclaimed, “[the] sprawling, electrifying new track that arrives as both a statement and a reminder of why Wilson remains one of the most fascinating storytellers working today.”

Wilson Jr. premiered “Gary” late last year with an electrifying performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and also performed it on This Past Weekend with Theo Von and The Howard Stern Show. In March, he released the official video for “Gary,” which stars award-winning actor Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, Apollo 13). The song is currently in the Top 40 on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart.

The official video for “Gary” marked his ninth collaboration with director Tim Cofield who also directed his official video for “Cuckoo,” which took home the ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year in May.

Throughout the rest of the year, Wilson Jr. will tour the US and Europe on his headline Gary The Torch Tour that will culminate with two shows at The Truth in Nashville on December 11 and 12. He will also tour as part of the Outlaw Music Festival this summer, and will support Dave Matthews Band on September 4 at the Gorge Amphitheater and Brandi Carlile on September 11-13 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Find a full list of tour dates below or visit his website.

2026 Tour Dates
8/7 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre #
8/8 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater #

8/18 – Maryland Heights, MO – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/21 – East Troy, WI – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/22 – Clarkston, MI – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/23 – Noblesville, IN – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/25 – Tinley Park, IL – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/28 – Wantagh, NY – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/29 – Bethel, NY – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/30 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Outlaw Music Festival *

9/4 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre ^
9/6 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium #
9/11–9/13 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre %

9/15 – Spokane, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest #

9/17 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre #

9/18 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre # SOLD OUT

9/19 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge (Concerts in the Grove) # SOLD OUT
9/22 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater #
9/24 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic #
9/29 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre #

10/1 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory #

10/2 – Helotes, TX – John T. Floore Country Store #

10/3 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall #

10/15 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena #
10/17 – Sligo, IE – Sligo Live Festival * SOLD OUT
10/19 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow # SOLD OUT

10/20 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow # SOLD OUT

10/22 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton #
10/23 – Bristol, UK – The Prospect Building # SOLD OUT

10/25 – Manchester, UK – O2 Victoria Warehouse # SOLD OUT
10/27 – Paris, FR – Le Trianon #
10/29 – Zurich, CH – Volkshaus #
10/30 – Cologne, DE – Theater am Tanzbrunnen # SOLD OUT
11/1 – Utrecht, NL – TivoliVredenburg (Ronda) # SOLD OUT
11/3 – Copenhagen, DK – VEGA # SOLD OUT
11/4 – Stockholm, SE – Fållan # SOLD OUT
11/5 – Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene # SOLD OUT
11/20–11/22 – St. Petersburg, FL – St. Pete Country Fest *
11/21 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company # SOLD OUT
12/2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Citizens Live at The Wylie #
12/9 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy #
12/11 – Nashville, TN – The Truth # SOLD OUT

12/12 – Nashville, TN – The Truth #

1/20-23 – Cancun, MX – Dave & Tim Riviera Maya 2027

* Festival
 # Gary The Torch Tour
 ^ Supporting Dave Matthews Band
 % Supporting Brandi Carlile

CONNECT WITH STEPHEN WILSON JR. 

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

ABOUT STEPHEN WILSON JR.
Stephen Wilson Jr.’s journey from the hollers of southern Indiana to Nashville, Tenn. has been a winding road that’s taken many detours: He’s been an Indiana State Golden Gloves boxing championship finalist, a scientist, and a lead guitarist and songwriter in an indie rock band. In 2016, he ditched his laboratory 9-to-5 and signed a publishing deal with BMG Nashville where his alchemic songcraft immediately made waves, leading to cuts from Caitlyn Smith, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, Sixpence None the Richer, Leigh Nash and more. 2023 proved to be Wilson Jr.’s breakthrough year, signing with Big Loud Records and releasing his critically-acclaimed debut double album søn of dad: a triumphant, genre-spanning set of 22 songs dedicated to his late father and given to the world on the five-year anniversary of his passing. In 2024, Stephen’s star grew as he made his network television debut on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, followed by performances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic series and Later…with Jools Holland. Ahead of the one-year anniversary of søn of dad, Wilson Jr. was also profiled in an extensive feature for CBS Saturday Morning, and last year, he released a deluxe edition of the album which featured a moving interpretation of “Stand By Me” that has been streamed tens of millions of times. Last November, he earned his first CMA Award nomination for New Artist of the Year and played twice on the broadcast – a moving performance of his song “Took A Walk” from the film The Long Walk with Shaboozey and a star-making rendition of “Stand By Me.” To close out the year, he released new single “Gary,” which he debuted on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and is currently climbing the country radio charts. Fresh off his first ACM Award win for Visual Media of the Year for the video for his song “Cuckoo,” Stephen is currently in the midst of his Gary The Torch Tour headline tour that extends through December across the US and Europe/UK. This year, he will share the stage with Dave Matthews Band at The Gorge Amphitheatre and Brandi Carlile for 3 nights at Red Rocks. 

#   #   #

Media Contacts

Joe Sivick + Bryan Ros | Missing Piece Group

joe@missingpiecegroup.com, bryan@missingpiecegroup.com

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post STEPHEN WILSON JR. RELEASES NEW SINGLE “HARDWIRED” FEAT. MIRANDA LAMBERT appeared first on Big Loud.

“DRINKS CAN DRINK” CONTINUES RISE AS SING-ALONG SUMMER JAM

“A LITTLE SOUTHERN ROCK, MODERN PRODUCTION AND A COMMANDING TONE” 

– BILLBOARD

“CODY WRITES TRULY PRESENT AND HEART-GRIPPING STORIES” 

– COUNTRY CENTRAL

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, country riser Cody Lohden continues his ascent as an artist-to-watch with new song “Gettin’ Nowhere.” The singer-songwriter hailing from Garfield, Kentucky writes from small-town experience that resonates. Gaining traction for his mix of heart and hooks, chart-topping superstar HARDY described Lohden’s recent “Buckle Up” as “so well written” on an episode of Broken Record Podcast.

“Gettin’ Nowhere” was written alongside Matt Mulhare with production by Jordan Schmidt (Ella Langley, Kane Brown). On today’s release, Lohden turns to his truck to clear his head:

I take my truck and throw it in drive

Turn up some dirt I’ve turned a few times

Roll down my windows, crank it on up

Sip a little whiskey from a Dixie Cup

I put the hammer down on that stretch

Mile after mile ’til I clear my head

Burn up some gasoline ’til I don’t care

I ride in this truck gettin’ nowhere

With each new release, Lohden proves his pedigree as part of the next generation of country hitmakers. “Drinks Can Drink” leads the pack as a summer jam on repeat and his highest streamer. His recent slow-burning “Camels In The Console” was praised as “his best work to date” by Country Central while “Go Round” was called “a radio-ready hit and a lived-in slice of Americana” by All Country News.

The former firefighter / paramedic is set to play Voices of America in West Chester Township, Ohio next month. Stay up to date with Cody Lohden here.

ABOUT CODY LOHDEN

A vocal powerhouse with both the pipes and penmanship of an authentic country hero, Cody Lohden is a singer-songwriter signed to ERN’s Cadillac Music / DeVille Records, primed for a creative breakout. The former firefighter / paramedic spent the last few years on a unique story of self-styled success and now answers the call of a new artistic chapter. Raised in Garfield, Kentucky, Lohden got his first guitar at 12 and quickly put it to use, drawn to the simplicity of country craftsmen like Keith Whitley and Don Williams, and the greasy grit of rockers like Bob Seger. He joined the school choir but was too shy to sing solo… until Lohden’s dad entered him in a local singing competition, which he won. Performing for a crowd of 800, his stage fright was replaced by a passion for the stage, and Lohden went on to make monthly trips to Nashville, learning to write songs with a lived-in mix of heart and hooks. Lohden was releasing music independently while living on a buddy’s couch for six months when one of his TikTok videos went viral, connecting the raw talent with hitmaker ERNEST. Lohden signed a publishing deal with ERN’s Cadillac Music four months before making the move to Nashville, and has since toured in support of Bailey Zimmerman, Walker Hayes and ERNEST, while co-writing cuts for ERNEST, Zimmerman, Austin Snell and others. 

CONNECT WITH CODY LOHDEN

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X | YOUTUBE

# # #

Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post COUNTRY RISER CODY LOHDEN DROPS BACKROAD BANGER “GETTIN’ NOWHERE” appeared first on Big Loud.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “HALLELUJAH HIGH” HERE

“A RECORD AS DEEPLY PERSONAL AS THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT GAVE RISE TO IT… CHRISTIAN NAME FINDS GODWIN IN FULL VOICE.” 

– ROLLING STONE

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, Charles Wesley Godwin releases his deeply personal, vividly compelling new album Christian Name via Big Loud Records. Christian Name is more than just another body of work; it’s how Godwin learned to live again. Through moments of mourning. Through tales of redemption. And ultimately, through a tried-and-true reaffirmation of his faith. Godwin will perform songs from the album tomorrow on CBS Saturday “Saturday Sessions.” Today he also releases a video for album standout “Hallelujah High.”

“These songs really mean a lot to me,” Godwin explains. “There’s parts of me and parts of the things that I’ve gone through in the last couple years that are in each and every song on this album.”

While Christian Name is without question a highly personal affair for Godwin – he took direct inspiration for both the album title and album cover from his late grandfather, Charles Godwin, a Methodist preacher – he’s quick to note how critical a role his creative community of friends and musical collaborators played in the album’s conception.

Not only does Christian Name include a pair of thrilling feature collaborations – the earworm “Better That Way” with Luke Combs and the remarkable “Hey There Son” featuring Wyatt Flores – but it’s also the result of Godwin partnering with some of music’s most treasured songwriters: Stephen Wilson Jr. (“Brand New”),  Liz Rose (“I Caught The Sunrise”), Lori McKenna (“Hey There Son”), Aaron Ratiere (“God’s Been Good To Me”), Travis Meadows (“Try Again,” “Every Once In Awhile”), Scooter Carusoe (“Better That Way,” “Hallelujah High,” “Place I Know”) and Tom Douglas (“Street Advice”). The album was produced by Allegheny High guitarist and Godwin’s longtime producer Al Torrence.

“I had a lot of help with this album — I sought out people and they brought a lot of the hope and the light and the lighter moments of the album,” Godwin offers. “That was a lot of their influence. The album needed that.”

Godwin will tour extensively in support of Christian Name. The Christian Name Tour is in full swing, with the next leg kicking off August 4 in San Francisco, and runs through mid-November with a return to Red Rocks on October 15. In addition to his own headline shows, Godwin will be doing a co-headline run with Dylan Gossett this summer, and he’ll open for Kacey Musgraves on her Middle of Nowhere tour this fall.

Charles Wesley Godwin 2026 Tour Dates

Aug 4 – San Francisco, CA- Regency

Aug 6 – Sacramento, CA – Channel 24

Aug 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

Aug 8 – San Diego, CA – SOMA

Aug 13 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto

Aug 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Van Buren

Aug 21 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

Aug 22 – Toronto, ON – History

Aug 27 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion

Aug 28 – Lubbock, TX – Cook’s Garage*

Aug 29 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheater*

Sept 11 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six

Sept 12 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner

Sept 17 – Landmark Theatre – Syracuse, NY

Sept 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Fillmore

Sept 23 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center #

Sept 26 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle*

Sept 29 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17*

Sept 30 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena#

Oct 1 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater*

Oct 9 – North Charleston, SC – Riverfront Revival

Oct 15 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Oct 17 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House

Oct 18 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom

Oct 21 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory

Oct 22 – Seattle, WA – SoDo

Oct 24 – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theater

Nov 5 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre

Nov 6 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum

Nov 7 – Cincinnati, OH – MegaCorp Pavilion

Nov 12  – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed

Nov 13 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside

Nov 14 – St. Louis, MO – Factory

* co-headline with Dylan Gossett

# supporting Kacey Musgraves

CONNECT WITH CHARLES WESLEY GODWIN

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X | FACEBOOK

#    #    #

Media Contacts

Rob Krauser | Missing Piece Group

rob@missingpiecegroup.com

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@

The post CHARLES WESLEY GODWIN’S CHRISTIAN NAME OUT TODAY, appeared first on Big Loud.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, country hitmaker Ashley Cooke shares two all-new songs from her upcoming self-titled sophomore album: the witty but confessional “famous to frances” and the gorgeously melancholy “johnny ‘n june.” With the LP’s release just weeks away, each track explores heartbreak from a distinct angle, together embodying the raw emotional truth at the heart of ashley cooke(due out via Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music on August 14). Go here to listen to “famous to frances,” and check out “johnny ‘n june” here.

Written by Cooke, Johnny Clawson and Kyle Sturrock, “famous to frances” arrives as an all-too-real portrait of modern romance (from the first verse: “we’re somewhere between love and a ‘you up?’ situation”). With its title lyric referring to her real-life therapist, the impossibly catchy slow-burner reflects on a relationship that’s nearly invisible in her everyday life but dominates her inner world, including her biweekly therapy sessions (“you’re famous to frances / I tell her about you / on every other wednesday 2:30 pm…she thinks you’re the worst / and I hate to admit / that I still kinda think you’re the best / but we’re workin’ on it”). A powerful testament to her storytelling instincts, “famous to frances” reveals Cooke’s rare talent for turning complex emotion into songs both disarmingly funny and deeply affecting.

The next song on ashley cooke‘s tracklist, “johnny ‘n june” drifts into a wistful mood as Cooke captures the lingering grief of a relationship left undefined. Despite its nod to one of music’s most iconic love stories, the hauntingly stark track documents a much more intimate experience: falling for someone named Johnny in the month of June. Penned by Cooke, Lauren Hungate, Emily Weisband and Will Weatherly, “johnny ‘n june” brings its bittersweet recollection to life by way of its beautifully rendered sensory details (e.g., summer rain, cheap wine, thunderstorms, moonlight). As she observes the changing seasons with an aching nostalgia, Cooke ultimately voices her fear of never finding that same spark again: “they say lightning don’t strike twice / I’ll be lookin’ my whole life / for somethin’ that makes me feel alive like / johnny ‘n june.”

Both produced by the legendary Dann Huff (Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift), “famous to frances” and “johnny ‘n june” add to an assured and ambitious album stacked with standouts like Cooke’s current Country radio hit “baby blues” — a longtime fan favorite that climbed to the No. 1 spot on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown earlier this year. Featuring co-writes with luminaries like Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, Ashley Gorley, and Hillary Lindsey and GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter JP Saxe, ashley cooke also includes her recent Country radio smash “the hell you are,” “xs” (a March release that inspired Country Swag to hail Cooke as “one of the most exciting rising artists in the genre today”), and “high school sweetheart” (a self-possessed takedown of someone stuck in teenage gossip mode).

A bold evolution of her acclaimed debut album shot in the dark (a 2023 LP featuring the GOLD-certified “never til now” and Country radio No. 1 hit “your place”), ashley cooke drops a month before she embarks on the baby blues world tour — a global headline run launching on September 17 at Globe Iron in Cleveland. With dates currently scheduled through February 25 at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the 28-date trek includes stops in major cities throughout the US and UK. For more info on Cooke’s upcoming tour dates, visit ashleycooke.com.

ABOUT ASHLEY COOKE

One of country’s most magnetic young storytellers, Ashley Cooke made her unforgettable debut with 2023’s shot in the dark and soon scored her first Country radio No. 1 with “your place” — a GOLD-certified, Billboard Hot 100-charting hit that later won a 2024 CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year. With a voice that carries both tenderness and quiet confidence, she’s since garnered nominations for New Female Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. While building up an acclaimed body of work including 2025’s ace — a nine-song project featuring her Country radio smash “the hell you are” and longtime fan favorite “baby blues” (a No. 1 hit on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown) — Cooke has collaborated with major artists ranging from Pop superstar Joe Jonas (“All I Forgot”) to Country hitmaker Brantley Gilbert (“Over When We’re Sober”). Known for her emotionally charged and high-energy live show, she’s also toured with heavy-hitters like Luke Bryan, Parker McCollum, Kane Brown, and recently hit the road as support for Jon Pardi’s HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD TOUR. As her profile continues to rise, Cooke made a cameo appearance in March on CBS’ Marshals (the newly launched spinoff of the blockbuster Western saga Yellowstone), just before heading overseas for C2C: Country to Country 2026 (including a performance at the iconic O2 Arena in London). With her self-titled sophomore album due out August 14, she’s now gearing up to take the stage at leading festivals like Boots and Hearts (8/9 in Ontario, Canada). Later this year, Cooke will embark on the baby blues world tour — a 28-date global headline run launching on September 17 and continuing through February 25 at the legendary Ryman Auditorium.

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY COOKE

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

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Media Contacts

Jensen Sussman | Sweet Talk Publicity

jensen@sweettalkpr.com 

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post ASHLEY COOKE PREVIEWS UPCOMING SELF-TITLED ALBUM WITH NEW SONGS “famous to frances” & “johnny ‘n june” appeared first on Big Loud.

NASHVILLE, TENN. –  Morgan Wallen has officially released his newest track and first solo release of the year – “Been By Now.” After debuting the track last week at hissold-out show at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, fans can now officially listen to “Been By Now” here.

“Been By Now” was written by Morgan Wallen, Charlie Handsome, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass, Rocky Block, Taylor Phillips and produced by Joy Moi.

Wallen’s latest album, I’m the Problem, continues to dominate the charts and was recently named, “the most popular album in the U.S. all-genre for the first 6 months of 2026” by Luminate. I’m The Problem earned the same recognition for the first half of 2025 after it debuted No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in May 2025 and spent 13 non-consecutive weeks at the top of the list. The album has remained firmly in the Top 10 ever-since. 

The release comes as Wallen is set to close out his blockbuster 23-stadium show Still The Problem Tour, which has played to sold-out crowds across North America. Produced by AEG Presents (with the exception of the Tuscaloosa date, produced by Live Nation), the tour features a rotating lineup of special guests including Brooks & Dunn, HARDY, Ella Langley and Thomas Rhett, with support from Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Flatland Cavalry, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Zach John King, Vincent Mason and Blake Whiten on select dates.

Remaining Still The Problem Tour dates include:

July 24 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten

July 25 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ HARDY, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten

July 31 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten

August 1 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ Ella Langley, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten

As with previous tours, a portion of every ticket sold benefits the Morgan Wallen Foundation, which supports youth programs in the areas of sports and music. As part of MWF’s Tour Give Back initiative, the foundation has contributed over $1 million worth of instruments to schools in need across U.S. touring cities. For more information, visit MorganWallenFoundation.org.

ABOUT MORGAN WALLEN
Morgan Wallen sets the pace in, and beyond, country music – with Billboard calling him “one of the biggest stars in the music world right now.” With 21 No. 1 singles at country radio, 19 Billboard Music Awards to-date, more than 225 weeks spent atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart (the most in country music history), the highest selling country tour under his belt and more, Wallen has propelled country music to a global level in less than five years. Wallen’s fourth studio album, I’m The Problem, available now via Big Loud / Mercury, debuted at No. 1 globally across seven countries and spent 13 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 albums chart. His preceding albums – Dangerous: The Double Album and One Thing At A Time – have remained in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart for more than 100 weeks each, making him the first artist ever to achieve that feat. I’m The Problem has already yielded six No. 1’s at country radio, including the title track, which remained at No. 1 for eight weeks. Wallen kicked off his 23-stadium show Still The Problem Tour for 2026 with two consecutive nights at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The run includes stops at four major college football stadiums: Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Michigan’s Michigan Stadium and one night only at Alabama’s Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in April. Wallen donates a portion of every ticket sold to his Morgan Wallen Foundation — which supports programs for youth in the areas of sports and music. More at MorganWallenFoundation.org. 

MORGANWALLEN.COM | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER/X | YOUTUBE

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Media Contacts for Morgan Wallen

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

Beau Benton | Mercury Records / REPUBLIC Collective

Beau.Benton@umusic.com

The post MORGAN WALLEN OFFICIALLY RELEASES NEW TRACK “BEEN BY NOW”  appeared first on Big Loud.