Warner Music Nashville headed to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Friday (10/25) for an electrifying performance from Tyler Braden. Before the three-song set got underway, the country crooner was surprised with a plaque presentation honoring his newly RIAA gold-certified single, "Devil You Know." In addition to performing the track, he also did live renditions of his latest releases, "More Than A Prayer" and "Above the Water."

Pictured seconds away from busting out the two-step are (l-r) WMN VP Artist Development Justin Luffman, WHY&HOW Marketing Manager Aaryn Cantu, WHY&HOW CEO Halie Hampton, Braden, WMN VP A&R Stephanie Davenport and WMN SVP Creative Director Mike Dupree.

Chase Rice made his debut at Nashville's famed Bluebird Cafe in on Thursday night (10/24). The performance follows the surprise release of his Fireside Sessions album featuring all 25 songs from both 2023's I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell and Go Down Singin' as live, single-take versions with co-writers Lori McKenna, Jackson Dean, Hunter Phelps and Randy Montana, among others.

Pictured trying to fly away from us are (l-r) Why & How Management's Eddie Kloesel and Rhiannon Ferronetti, Rice, Why & How's Avery Bon and Halie Hampton Mosley and Essential Broadcast Media's Ebie McFarland.

Country Cares for St. Jude Kids held its 35th anniversary event in Memphis this week. During the swanky soirée, the organization announced it has raised more than $1b for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over the last 35 years. Country stars Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi and Megan Moroney were on deck to provide music for the celebratory occasion.

As part of the notable milestone, a studio on the St. Jude campus has been dedicated in honor of Randy Owen and his wife, Kelly. Owens, a member of the band Alabama, helped found the Country Cares program in 1989 and its signature Angels Among Us award recognizing country music professionals for their commitment and service to St. Jude.

“What the country music community has been able to achieve through Country Cares is breathtaking,” Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president/CEO of  ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, said. “We are deeply honored and grateful for Randy Owen's passion and dedication in answering the call from our founder Danny Thomas to get involved and for rallying fellow artists, radio stations and fans for over three decades to support St. Jude.”

Pictured thanking the heavens HITS couldn't afford a flight to Graceland are (l-r) Republic’s Gary Spangler and Alex Coslov, Back Blocks’ Rakiyah Marshall, Big Loud’s Seth England, Republic’s Lucas Romeo, Mercury’s Tyler Arnold and Republic’s Mary Catherine Kinney.

Luke Combs (pictured), Jelly Roll and Keith Urban will have some fun in the sun at the 2025 edition of the Tortuga Music Festival, which will be held 4/4-6 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Rounding out the bill for the Rock the Ocean/Live Nation-produced event are Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins, Marcus King, Ludacris, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Shaboozey, Yelawolf and Ezra Ray Hart, the occasional pairing of Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath, Better Than Ezra's Kevin Griffin and Tonic's Emerson Hart.

Attendees can also sample up-and-comers at the Next From Nashville Stage, including Jenna LaMaster, Charlie Worsham and Jade Eagleson.

Since launching in 2013, Tortuga has donated nearly $5m to support ocean conservation and sustainability efforts. Tickets for this year's fest go on sale 11/1.

The Core Records and Capitol Music Group have signed rising country artist Hannah McFarland through a joint venture. McFarland’s next single, “Hey Highway,” will mark the first official release from The Core Records as a newly established label.

“From the moment we heard Hannah’s music, we knew she had something special,” The Core Co-Founders Chief Zaruk and Simon Tikhman remarked in a joint statement. “Her unique voice, compelling storytelling, and undeniable talent make her a perfect fit for The Core. We’re excited to partner with Capitol Music Group to bring her music to a global audience.”

CMG Chairman/CEO Tom March called McFarland “a brilliant and talented musician” and expressed how the JV is the “perfect launchpad” for the Nashville-based artist’s blossoming career.

McFarland has been building industry buzz since her move to Nashville in 2016. Her momentum surged when Zach Bryan invited her on stage in Birmingham to perform his hit "I Remember Everything" earlier this year. She’s also shared stages with the likes of Kelsea Ballerini, Old Dominion and Travis Tritt. Her current tour includes Brett Young, Tucker Wetmore and Kip Moore, with dates throughout the fall. She’s also working on her first full-length project. “Hey Highway,” which serves as the lead single, drops Friday (10/25). Coincidentally, someone just shouted "hey loser" at us.

Last week, the Academy of Country Music welcomed UMG Nashville’s Tucker Wetmore to its headquarters in Nashville, where the breakout newcomer treated staff to a performance of his single “Wind Up Missin’ You,” and previewed forthcoming music from the ACM Red Barrel Lounge Stage. Seen hoping we wind up missing are (l-r) ACM’s Director of Industry Relations & Awards Haley Montgomery, EVP/Chief Business Officer Gil Beverly; Wetmore; ACM’s Chief of Staff/VP of Industry Relations & Awards Tommy Moore and UMG Nashville’s Chair/CEO Cindy Mabe.

Peep the full performance here.

Photo: Courtesy of ACM