John Jorgenson, BMI, Randy Owen, Concord, and CRS360 Spotlight Key Music Industry Milestones
On Saturday, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened its doors to a fresh chapter in Nashville’s session‑musician saga. In the museum’s Nashville Cats series, guitarist John Jorgenson sat down for an in‑depth interview that was moderated by writer‑editor Jon Freeman. The session was punctuated by a live duet with country‑singer Rodney Crowell. Jorgenson—whose résumé boasts work with Elton John, the Desert Rose Band, and the Hellecasters—was celebrated for his versatility across guitar, mandolin, pedal steel, and more.
A few miles away, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) marked the 20th anniversary of its annual stage at Lollapalooza. The Chicago Grant Park event showcased a lineup that included Bella Kay, Calder Allen, Case Oats, Elizabeth Nichols, Evening Elephants, Ink, Porch Light, RYMAN, Surfing For Daisy, The Braymores, and Will Swinton. The festival appearance underscores BMI’s status as the largest performing‑rights organization in the United States, which in 2022 collected $1.573 billion in revenue and distributed $1.471 billion in royalties.
Meanwhile, a new documentary chronicling country‑music icon Randy Owen premiered on Alabama Public Television (APT) and is now streaming on YouTube. My Home’s in Alabama: The Randy Owen Story, produced by Jacksonville State University, traces Owen’s journey from his upbringing in Fort Payne to his tenure as lead singer of Alabama. The film features interviews with fellow band member Teddy Gentry, country‑artist Jamey Johnson, and Riley Green, and underscores Owen’s enduring ties to the Alabama community.
In education, Concord Music Group announced that it has surpassed its five‑year pledge to Stax Music Academy (SMA) in Memphis. The partnership, launched in 2021, originally committed $1 million to scholarships for under‑resourced students. As of January 2026, Concord has contributed more than $1.3 million, funding 100 scholarships and preserving a 100 % college acceptance rate for SMA graduates. Concord staff, artists, and songwriters—including Noah Goldstein and Varren Wade—have led masterclasses and workshops for SMA students.
Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) added another chapter to its CRS360 webinar series with the on‑demand installment “Perfectly Legal: How Air Talent Gains Leverage Before Sitting Down to Negotiate.” The session features Denise Shackelford, founder of The Primacy Firm and CRB’s legal counsel. Shackelford, an associate professor in the Department of Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State University’s Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment, discussed employment agreements, negotiation leverage, and key contract considerations for on‑air talent.
These events paint a portrait of an industry that spans performance, licensing, education, and legal advocacy. The Hall of Fame’s focus on Jorgenson highlights the vital role of session musicians in Nashville’s creative ecosystem. BMI’s Lollapalooza stage continues to elevate emerging artists. The Randy Owen documentary offers a personal look at a country legend’s roots. Concord’s expanded investment in SMA demonstrates a lasting commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians. And the CRS360 webinar equips artists with practical tools for navigating the business side of their careers.
Collectively, the stories underscore a music community that values collaboration, education, and professional development while balancing artistic innovation with sustainable business practices.
