Hardy is expanding his song “McArthur” beyond music. The singer/songwriter has officially launched McArthur Legacy, a lifestyle brand rooted in purpose.

Debuting at CMA Fest, Hardy unveiled two exclusive hats at Morgan Wallen’s This Bar during an event featuring performances by Lauren Watkins, Cody Lohden, and Hardy himself. A portion of proceeds will go directly toward protecting land and farming communities nationwide. McArthur Legacy is a movement dedicated to land preservation and supporting farmers across the U.S., a cause close to Hardy’s heart.

Inspired by his latest single “McArthur,” Hardy is turning a song into a lasting legacy and the story is just getting started. Watch the video below to hear Hardy explain McArthur Legacy in his own words, and stay informed at mcarthurlegacy.com.

 

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CMA Fest week kicked off in a BIG way as Trend hosted its highly anticipated Off The Record with HARDY & Friends event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville on June 3. Benefiting The HARDY Fund, the nonprofit founded by HARDY and wife Caleigh Hardy, the exclusive evening brought together artists, creators, industry leaders, and influencers for a night of music and philanthropy.

HARDY opened the event alongside Lauren Alaina with their No. 1 hit “ONE BEER” before welcoming an all-star lineup of surprise guests, including Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Karen Fairchild, Tucker Wetmore, Stephen Wilson Jr., and ERNEST. One of the night’s standout moments came when Lambert, Wilson, Langley, and Fairchild joined forces for a special performance of “Better Man.”

Beyond the music, attendees enjoyed a dive bar-inspired atmosphere complete with interactive games, tattoos and piercings, and custom portrait sessions.

The event also featured silent and live auctions that raised more than $400,000 for The HARDY Fund, which supports community-focused initiatives across Mississippi and Tennessee. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit Unlimited Play, an organization dedicated to creating inclusive playgrounds for children of all abilities.

The annual event continues to be one of CMA Fest week’s premier gatherings, blending live music, entertainment, and charitable giving while bringing together some of the biggest names in country music and digital media.

Learn more about The HARDY Fund and find out ways to support by visiting thehardyfund.org.

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Darius Rucker brought friends, fans, and country’s biggest names together for another sold-out night at the Ryman Auditorium for the 17th annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert, raising $1.1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This year’s effort, which included a  a kickoff show led by Walker Hayes and a celebrity golf tournament, pushes the event’s lifetime total past $6.2 million in support of St. Jude’s mission to ensure families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.

The sold-out night at the Ryman Auditorium featured a stacked lineup including Jason Aldean, Lauren Alaina, Carter Faith, Randy Houser, and Mark Wills joining Rucker on stage for a mix of hits, collaborations, and crowd-wide singalongs. The evening concluded with a massive “Wagon Wheel” finale.

“Every year it amazes me how quick my friends are to say ‘yes’ to joining us here at the Ryman – and then you guys sell out the show without even knowing who’s going to come sing with us,” shared Rucker. “It’s incredible. I can’t thank everyone enough for the generosity and the eagerness to come out and support the wonderful work St. Jude is doing.”

From auction items, including one heck of an auction battle which resulted in a winning bid of $20,000 for a guitar signed by all the performing artists, to surprise duets, the night stayed high-energy while keeping the focus on giving back.

Now in its 17th year, “Darius and Friends” continues to blend big moments in country music with a consistent mission which is rallying the genre’s community around St. Jude and turning a night at the Ryman into real-world impact.

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A new Nashville label is officially entering the country music space. Ahead of CMA Fest, GoDigital Music has launched its Nashville-based country imprint, Orinda, with genre-bending artist Nic D becoming the label’s first signing.

Built as a creative home for artists pushing modern country forward, Orinda aims to support independent talent while staying rooted in the storytelling and authenticity that define the genre. The launch marks GoDigital Music’s latest investment in country music following recent songwriter catalog acquisitions and growing ties to Nashville’s music community.

“Launching Orinda and expanding into country is a deliberate step in GoDigital Music’s long-term vision to invest in culturally influential genres and independent artists shaping today’s music landscape,” says Logan Mulvey, CEO of GoDigital Music. “Country music has experienced meaningful changes in recent years and we saw a natural opportunity to continue fueling that momentum. Orinda is designed to be a lasting home for artists who are redefining the genre, providing them the infrastructure, creative support and global reach to scale their careers, while staying true to their storytelling and identity.”

Nic D, who has amassed nearly 5 million monthly Spotify listeners, has built a loyal following with his unique blend of country, hip-hop, pop, and alternative influences. The rising artist is set to release his first single with Orinda, “Slow Down Fast,” on June 26 and will hit the road this summer on his co-headlining Iconic Tour with Connor Price.

“We built Orinda to back independent artists the way they deserve: as true partners, not transactions,” says Cooper Lycan, General Manager of Orinda. “The artists we work with have the songs and the drive to move culture on their own terms. Our role is to amplify that with capital and strategy while keeping them in the driver’s seat for the long haul.”

Orinda will officially introduce itself to the Nashville community during CMA Fest with a special event at The Fort by Fort Nash.

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Chase Rice is honoring his roots in a big way with his new single “Connie Lou,” arriving May 29. The track is deeply personal, written about his parents’ early love story, and leans into the rodeos, small towns, and late-night Coors Banquet moments that shaped his upbringing. It also naturally ties into a larger creative collaboration with Coors Banquet and Wrangler, bringing that Western lifestyle full circle. Save/Stream “Connie Lou” here.

The partnership feels like a natural extension of Rice’s world, where these brands have long been part of both everyday life and lasting memories. Alongside the release of “Connie Lou,” a limited-edition Coors x Wrangler collection is also dropping, featuring everything from festival-ready apparel to the standout “Beer Chords” jeans. The jeans are printed with the actual chords from the song using Coors Banquet beer-based ink. Only 250 pairs will be released across two drops, with 125 available today and another 125 arriving June 4 at shop.coors.com.

The full Coors Banquet x Wrangler Collection expands even further with 32 unique pieces, including men’s and women’s apparel and co-branded caps, also available at shop.coors.com.

“Coors Banquet has been part of my story for a long time – from my dad holding two Banquets on the cover of the Cowboys record to writing songs like ‘Mr. Coors,’ it’s always represented something real in my music. That’s why this collaboration felt natural,” shares Rice. “‘Connie Lou’ is inspired by my parents’ story and the kind of life I grew up around – rodeos, small towns, hard work and cold beer at the end of the night – which is exactly the kind of life Coors and Wrangler represent, too.”

This serves as a full-circle moment for Rice, blending family history, storytelling, and two iconic Western brands into a collaboration built for the country culture and lifestyle.

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Country music icon Randy Travis is celebrating 40 years of his debut album Storms of Life during CMA Fest with a special Fan Fair X activation fans won’t want to miss. The experience features a life-size replica of the iconic general store from the album cover, exclusive merch, and a chance for fans to leave personal letters for Randy in his mailbox.

Randy and wife Mary Travis will also appear on the Close Up Stage Saturday to reflect on his lasting impact on Country music. Emily Ann Roberts and Colton Dawson will join the country legend as they honor the influence Travis has had on a new generation of artists. Fans can also catch Randy during meet-and-greet appearances Friday at 1pm and Saturday at 11am inside Fan Fair X.

For Country music fans, these are truly can’t-miss moments celebrating one of the genre’s most influential artists.

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The Country Music Association has Country fans covered if they can’t make it to Nashville for CMA Fest. CMA and ABC have announced that “CMA Fest presented by SoFi” will air Thursday, June 25 at 8/7c on ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu.

Making their debut as hosts for the three-hour special are Country hitmaker Riley Green and Emmy Award-winning “Good Morning America” anchor Lara Spencer.

Filmed during next week’s CMA Fest in downtown Nashville, June 4 – June 7, the special will feature performances from some of Country Music’s biggest stars, along with exclusive collaborations and surprise moments throughout the night.

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Country rocker Koe Wetzel heads back to Country Radio with brand-new single “Hurts Like You,”serving as the first release from his upcoming album, The Night Champion, dropping June 12. The new track follows Wetzel’s massive success with hit song “High Road” featuring Jessie Murph, which spent five straight weeks at No. 1 and became the most-played song on Country Radio in 2025.

Written by Wetzel alongside Ashley Gorley, Steph Jones, Carrie K and producer Gabe Simon, “Hurts Like You” leans into the gritty, hard-hitting sound that is undeniably Koe Wetzel, while also showcasing an emotional and vulnerable side through sharp, well-placed lyrics that bring the song full circle.

“‘Hurts Like You’ was one of the first songs that we wrote for the record,” Wetzel recalls. “It’s kind of about a toxic relationship; whenever you get into those situations, you know it’s not good for you, but there’s just something about it that keeps bringing you back. It’s hard to get away from. I feel like a lot of people go through that, so I hope people can relate to the way that we felt about it.”

The Night Champion, comprised of 11 tracks, marks a new chapter for the singer/songwriter. While the new album builds off 9 Lives, it brings a fresh chapter that showcases the growth and evolution of Koe and his artistry.

“It’s a continuation of 9 Lives, from that record to now,” Koe says. “Really, it’s everything that’s happened – because you don’t go from kids playing for beer to headlining Red Rocks, arenas all over the country, partying and trying to make sense of it all and not shift. My head space is clearer now. I can look back, see how it fits together. It doesn’t make sense, exactly, but it all happened. That search for what it all means keeps bringing me back.”

 “I’m not torn between the worlds,” Wetzel continues. “This is where all the fans meet. No matter when they got here, this is that moment.”

Koe Wetzel will be highlighting his new music on the road this year with The Night Champion World Tour. For a full list of tour dates and ticket information, visit KoeWetzelMusic.com.

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Country star Parker McCollum is teaming up with Under Armour in a brand-new multi-year partnership. Fresh off his ACM Album of the Year win, the singer/songwriter officially joins UA as an ambassador for footwear and apparel. The first campaign featuring McCollum focuses on the brand’s “Bouncy Tee.”

Teaming up with Under Armour feels like a natural fit for Parker, who grew up wearing the brand as a young athlete before stepping into the music scene. He’s no stranger to hard work, dedication, and performance, all qualities that align perfectly with the apparel company and its initiatives.

“Under Armour has always been part of my life” Parker said. “I grew up wearing the brand as an athlete, so getting the chance to partner with them now honestly means a lot. What I respect most is that they stand for strong American values of hard work, discipline, and staying true to who you are. That’s how I’ve always tried to approach my career and my life.”

“Parker represents the kind of authenticity, work ethic, and individuality that defines Under Armour” shares Tyler Rutstein, SVP America’s Marketing. “He’s someone who has genuinely relied on and supported the brand long before this partnership, and his connection to our athlete mindset and values makes this an incredibly natural fit.”

Parker will appear in campaigns and wear the apparel both on and off stage as he represents the brand’s training, outdoor, and UA Freedom lines. Under Armour’s UA Freedom is a platform that honors and supports military members, first responders, and their families, causes that are personally meaningful to McCollum.

Check out Under Armour’s Bouncy Tee at UnderArmour.com and keep up with Parker McCollum at ParkerMcCollum.com.

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Founded by NFL stars Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Greg Olsen, Tight End University has become one of the coolest summer traditions in sports, blending football, country music, and Nashville nightlife into one massive celebration. After last year’s unforgettable kickoff event featuring a headline performance from Kane Brown, and surprise moments fans are still talking about, expectations are sky-high for round two.

While this year’s artist lineup hasn’t been announced yet, it is probably safe to say fans can anticipate something big featuring top-tier country talent, surprise guests, and high-energy performances that could make this one of the hottest nights of the summer.

“Tight Ends and Friends is everything TEU stands for: the brotherhood, the celebration, the fans, and the moments that nobody sees coming. What we built last year in Nashville was something truly special, and this summer we are taking it to another level entirely,” said Greg Olsen, Co-Founder Tight End University.

If you love Country Music and Football, then you do not want to miss out on this night! If last summer proved anything, it’s that Tight Ends & Friends is quickly becoming a must-attend Nashville tradition where football and country music collide in a big way. Tickets for Tight Ends and Friends are on sale now at www.te-university.com.

Presented by Reese’s,Tight End & Friends also features supporting partners including Raising Cane’s, Bud Light, Dude Wipes, Kinder’s, Cutwater, New Era, Lewis Bakeries, Novartis, Gatorade Water, and Zenni Optical.

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