Nashville International Airport is set to be renamed in honor of Dolly Parton, after the airport’s governing board voted unanimously to begin the process on Friday (Sept. 11).

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board of commissioners voted 6-0 to start modifying the airport’s name to honor the late country icon, who died Aug. 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer. A final name has not yet been determined.

“While a final name has not yet been determined, we are working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated,” the authority said, describing the vote as “the first step in a multifaceted process” and noting it expects to share more detailed plans in the coming months.

The final name will be decided jointly by airport leaders and the Dollywood Foundation, the nonprofit Parton established in 1988. The board also had to modify its existing naming policy, which generally calls for airport properties to be named after individuals who have been deceased for at least two years.

The renaming push predates Parton’s death — a petition to rename the airport “Dolly Parton International Airport” launched in early 2025 — but gained momentum after she died, with the petition surpassing 175,000 signatures.

The effort has drawn bipartisan support: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, proposed the change shortly after Parton’s death, and Nashville’s Democratic mayor, Freddie O’Connell, backed it, with the city’s Metro Council unanimously adopting a supporting resolution on Sept. 1. “At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter,” Lee said in his initial statement.

A Tennessee native born in Sevier County, Parton became one of the most successful and beloved figures in American music, selling more than 100 million records worldwide across a seven-decade career. She topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “9 to 5” and “Islands in the Stream,” holds the record for the most No. 1s by a woman on the Hot Country Songs chart with 25, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Beyond her music, she was celebrated for her philanthropy, particularly the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, which has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children.

Kylie Minogue‘s headline performance at this year’s AFL Grand Final is being billed as “the biggest spectacle ever seen” at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, according to new details about the show.

Per a report in Melbourne’s Sunday Herald Sun, the pop icon will deliver a 20-minute pre-game production featuring an avant-garde stage, dancers and visual elements never before seen at a Grand Final.

The performance — produced in partnership with Mushroom Group and the AFL — is being described as a “world-class production.” The Grand Final takes place Saturday, Sept. 26, at the MCG, with around 100,000 fans expected at the stadium and millions more watching the broadcast.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon called it the league’s most ambitious pre-game show to date. “Kylie’s performance on the day of the Grand Final is the greatest production and show we’ve performed so far,” he said, adding that the league is “very excited that Kylie is returning home to perform on our most important day.”

Ahead of the match, Yarra Park will host a Footy Festival and a “Kylie Village,” where fans can buy exclusive official merchandise, both launching Sept. 23.

The performance marks Minogue’s first time headlining the AFL Grand Final, the biggest date on the Australian sporting calendar. When the booking was announced in March, the Melbourne-born singer framed it as a homecoming. “As a Melburnian, I’m so excited to be coming home for the biggest day in the Aussie sporting calendar,” she said at the time.

“I’ll not only be performing, but I’ll be one of 100,000 fans at the ‘G, watching the wonder that is footy.” She is the first Australian to headline the event since 2021, when a medley of local acts performed at Perth’s Optus Stadium during the COVID-19 pandemic; the intervening years featured international headliners Robbie Williams, KISS, Katy Perry and, in 2025, Snoop Dogg.

One of the most successful pop artists in history, Minogue has sold more than 80 million records worldwide and scored nine No. 1 albums in Australia across a career spanning nearly four decades. A two-time Grammy winner and 18-time ARIA Award recipient, she returned to the U.S. spotlight in recent years with the global smash “Padam Padam” and her Grammy-winning album Tension. She toured Australia in March 2026 on her Tension Tour, her first headline shows in the country since 2019.

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Jessica Simpson is having a busy fall. Between returning to music, preparing for a new Netflix documentary and expanding her Walmart fashion line, the singer has plenty keeping her in the spotlight.

Her latest Walmart collection arrived Sept. 10, bringing her signature Cali-boho aesthetic into fall with barn jackets, barrel-leg jeans, maxi dresses, ruffle tops and accessories. Prices start at $10+, making the new collection one of the more accessible ways to tap into Simpson’s recognizable style.

The assortment draws heavily from the mix of bohemian fashion and Western influence that has become synonymous with Simpson. Flowing dresses and ruffled tops bring a romantic touch, while relaxed denim and barn jackets add structure and a nod to her Texas roots.

There’s also a subtle ’70s influence throughout the collection. Rather than leaning into head-to-toe retro dressing, Simpson’s latest Walmart pieces translate the era through wearable details: relaxed denim silhouettes, flowy dresses, feminine ruffles and easy layering pieces.

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That makes the collection particularly useful for the September transition. A maxi dress can still work during warmer days, while a barn jacket gives it a fall update. Barrel-leg jeans can be paired with a lightweight top now and a sweater later, making them the kind of staple that can stay in rotation throughout the season.

The barn jacket is one of fall’s standout layers, and Simpson’s $49.50 oversized version makes the trend feel distinctly her own with its Western-leaning aesthetic. It’s an especially good pick for those in-between September days when you need a jacket but aren’t ready for a heavier coat.

This maxi dress is the kind of throw-on-and-go style that still looks thoughtfully put together. It has a tiered silhouette, flutter sleeves, lace and bow details, plus an elastic waist for a little extra shape.

These affordable Jessica Simpson flare jeans are fitted through the hips and thighs before kicking out into a classic flare, with stretch denim for comfort.

For a blouse that feels a little more special than the everyday basic, this Jessica Simpson top delivers with a ruffled peplum silhouette and feminine button details. The V-neck makes it easy to layer or wear on its own.

The butterfly dangle is what caught our eye on this $26 Jessica Simpson shoulder bag, which also has an adjustable strap and paisley lining.

For a one-and-done fall outfit, these $39.50 Jessica Simpson overalls make a strong case for the barrel-leg trend with an denim silhouette and adjustable straps.

A floral print gives this cardigan more personality than your average button-front knit. It has a V-neckline, dropped shoulders and ribbed trim, with the classic button-front construction keeping the shape familiar.

This pair lands somewhere between a straight leg and a wide leg, thanks to its curved barrel shape. The jeans have a mid-rise waist, ankle-length cut, five pockets and a button-and-zip closure.

The Calanthe has the kind of details that make a floral dress stand out. Along with its V-neckline and empire waist, it features long sleeves, elasticized cuffs, ruffle trim and a ruffled hem.

Boho-inspired style has long been part of Jessica Simpson’s style, and the Emmory Tiered Dress leans right into it. The flowy tiered skirt, puff sleeves and sweetheart neckline create a romantic silhouette that feels made for the start of fall.

The collection reflects Simpson’s evolution beyond music. She rose to fame as a pop singer in the late 1990s alongside Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Mandy Moore, with her 1999 single “I Wanna Love You Forever” peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. She later expanded into television, publishing and fashion, turning the Jessica Simpson name into a lifestyle brand spanning clothing, footwear and accessories. Her Walmart line, which launched in 2024, brings that aesthetic to shoppers at more accessible prices.

Now, music is once again part of the story. After a 15-year hiatus from releasing original music, Simpson returned with Nashville Canyon: Part 1 and Nashville Canyon: Part 2. She is also the subject of a feature-length Netflix documentary exploring her life and career, with Joe Pearlman attached to direct.

For now, her latest Walmart collection gives fans something they can wear. From barrel-leg jeans and barn jackets to flowy dresses and ruffle tops, the fall 2026 lineup stays rooted in the California boho and Texas influences that have long defined her style.

A (baby) star is born: Lady Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, have welcomed their first child, according to multiple reports.

The couple has yet to share the news, but according to photos obtained by Page Six, they were spotted out in Northern California with a baby in tow, with Gaga wearing the newborn in a sling. No additional details, including the baby’s gender or birth date, are known.

This is the first baby for both Gaga (real name: Stefani Germanotta) and Polansky. Billboard has reached out to reps for Gaga for confirmation.

Gaga and Polansky similarly didn’t announce the news that they were engaged to be married, with the singer simply referring to the tech entrepreneur as her fiancé in July 2024. Later that year, she confirmed that Polansky had proposed months earlier, in April 2024, and then shared details of the proposal in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel.

“He proposed to me right after my birthday, so my birthday passed and I was like, ‘Well, I thought he was gonna propose …,’” Gaga said on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, explaining that he popped the question during a rock-climbing trip. “We were just walking back to the room and talking,” she continued. “He actually — it was very Michael — asked me if he could ask me. He wanted to know if it was OK to propose before he proposed. And I was like, ‘Yes, it’s so OK!’”

The couple have been publicly dating since early 2020 when Gaga made their relationship Instagram-official with a post that February. In an interview a few months later, she referred to Polansky as “the love of my life.”

Gaga wrapped her The Mayhem Ball tour back in April and has kept a low profile publicly since.

Lil Durk has been acquitted of all charges accusing him of orchestrating a murder-for-hire conspiracy that targeted Quando Rondo and ultimately killed the rival rapper’s cousin.

A jury in Los Angeles federal court deliberated for three days before finding the Chicago drill star (Durk Banks) not guilty on Friday (Sept. 11) of murder-for-hire, stalking and conspiracy counts that could have subjected him to life in prison, Billboard confirmed. Durk’s alleged co-conspirators, David “Browneyez” Lindsey and Deandre “OTF Dede” Wilson, were convicted of stalking and conspiracy but acquitted of murder-for-hire as well. They’ll be sentenced at a later date.

Durk remains in custody, since he still faces an additional racketeering charge that accuses him of operating his OTF label as a violent gang. Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald excluded that new count from the original trial and scolded prosecutors for tacking it on at the last minute. A second trial is currently scheduled for Oct. 5.

Durk’s attorney, Drew Findling, said the defense team is “so elated and proud” while speaking outside the courthouse following the verdict. “22 months ago, Durk and I made an agreement that we would make history with the greatest verdict in this country, and it happened today,” said Findling. “Durk is not guilty of all charges.”

“So now we work to get pull the shackles off,” added Findling. “The shackles must come off, and he must walk free so that he can come home to his beautiful family and to the world that loves him.”

A rep for the prosecution did return a request for comment.

Prosecutors claimed during a two-week trial that Durk ordered his Only the Family (OTF) crew to murder Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 killing of his close friend and collaborator King Von. Rondo was shot at a Los Angeles gas station in 2022 and survived, but his cousin Saviay’a Robinson, also known as Lul Pab, was killed in the crossfire.

The case rested largely on testimony from three alleged participants in the plot who pled guilty and became government cooperators: Kacey “OTF Jam” Hester, Keith “Flacka” Jones, and Kavon “Vonnie” Grant. The trio told jurors that Durk planned for a group of shooters to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2022 and offered cash rewards for the attack, though no payments were ever completed.

The jury also heard some of Durk’s music during the trial, including his top 40 hits “Who Want Smoke??”, “Ahhh Ha” and “Pissed Me Off.” Prosecutors argued that Durk telegraphed the Rondo murder plot in these tracks, such as in the “Ahhh Ha” lyrics, “Don’t respond to s–t with Von/ I’m like, ‘f–k it, you trippin’, go get your gun’/ They droppin’ locations, I’m gettin’ it done/ F–k tweetin’, we slidin’, the feds are comin’.”

Durk has consistently maintained that he had nothing to do with the shooting. His lawyers argued throughout the trial that the cooperating witnesses were lying and that Vonnie, who had access to Durk’s credit cards as his personal assistant, was the real mastermind of the plot.

Defense attorneys said Vonnie and the other cooperators falsely pinned the blame on Durk because the famous rapper was a “big fish” that they could hand over to prosecutors and, in exchange, get shorter prison sentences of their own. They leaned hard into attacking Vonnie’s credibility, playing recordings of jailhouse phone calls where he said the trial would be his “time to shine” and “perform.”

Durk’s team also strongly urged the jury not to give any weight to his lyrics, saying his music is artistic expression tailored towards commercial appeal and does not reflect any literal plans or admissions. The use of rap lyrics in criminal trials is a controversial practice that’s been banned by many states but remains legal in federal prosecutions.

Durk’s trial has captivated the hip-hop world, drawing droves of fans sporting in “Free Durk” t-shirts. Even fellow artists like Ye (formerly Kanye West) and mgk have shown up to court to lend support to Durk.

The Chicago native, who rose to fame in his hometown’s drill scene before signing with Def Jam and later Alamo Records, was at the peak of his career when he was arrested in 2024 while attempting to get on a flight to Dubai. He had just two years prior achieved his first his first solo No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, 7220. His follow-up, Almost Healed, debuted at No. 3 on the chart in 2023.

This story was updated on Sept. 11 at 9:40 p.m. ET to add a statement from Durk’s lawyer.

UPDATE (Sept. 11): Mandolin maestros Sam Bush and Sierra Hull will co-host and perform at the 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, set for Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga Tenn.

The Del McCoury Band, Sister Sadie, Authentic Unlimited, The Grascals and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper are also set to perform.

The 2026 class of inductees into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame consists of Byron Berline, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Barry Poss and The Lost & Found. Musical tributes for each inductee are planned.

The IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards will be livestreamed; details coming soon.

UPDATE (July 22): One week after announcing the nominations for the 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, the International Bluegrass Music Association announced the nominees for the 2026 IBMA Industry Awards and the 2026 IBMA Momentum Awards.

The IBMA Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in non-performing industry categories and honor the individuals who help advance bluegrass music and support its artists. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The IBMA Momentum Awards recognize artists and industry professionals in the early stages of their bluegrass music careers. In addition to honoring emerging talent, the awards also include recognition for a mentor whose guidance has had a significant and positive impact on upcoming artists and industry professionals. The Momentum Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21, also at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

These award ceremonies are part of IBMA World of Bluegrass, which runs Oct. 20-24. The week encompasses four events: the IBMA Business Conference, Oct. 20-22 at the Chattanooga Convention Center; the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, Oct. 20-21 in downtown Chattanooga venues; the 37th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, Oct. 22 at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium; and IBMA Bluegrass Live!, Oct. 23-24, a two-day festival of live performances and fan experiences. Tickets are now on sale for all IBMA World of Bluegrass events; visit their website for details.

PREVIOUSLY (July 15): This year’s nominees for the International Bluegrass Music Association Bluegrass Music Awards were announced on Wednesday (July 15), with Alison Krauss & Union Station, Sister Sadie and East Nash Grass among the year’s top nominees.

All three acts are up for entertainer of the year, alongside Billy Strings and The Del McCoury Band.

The 37th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards will be held Oct. 22 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tenn., and will be presented by Get It Played. The awards are part of the annual World of Bluegrass, including Bluegrass Live! which runs Oct. 23-24 and will be spearheaded by performances from Sierra Ferrell, Leftover Salmon, Larry Sparks and more.

Last year’s top IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards winners included Billy Strings, Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland, Authentic Unlimited and The Travelin’ McCourys.

In addition to this year’s IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards nominees, the 2026 Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductees were revealed, including multi-instrumentalist Byron Berline, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Lost and Found, and Sugar Hill cofounder Barry Lyle Poss.

The 2026 IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award recipients are Gallagher Guitars, pioneering fiddle player Matt Glaser, The Marshall Family, Gary Reid, and journalist/editor/biographer Derek Halsey.

See the full list of this year’s IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards nominees, followed by 2026 IBMA Industry Award nominees and 2026 IBMA Momentum Awards nominees.

2026 IBMA Music Award Nominees

Entertainer of the year

Billy Strings

Alison Krauss & Union Station

Sister Sadie

East Nash Grass

The Del McCoury Band

Vocal group of the year

Alison Krauss & Union Station

Authentic Unlimited

Sister Sadie

Blue Highway

Red Camel Collective

Instrumental group of the year

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Billy Strings

The Travelin’ McCourys

East Nash Grass

Appalachian Road Show

Song of the year

“Broken Angels,” The Grascals and Dolly Parton (songwriters: Dolly Parton/Jamie Johnson, Producer: Kent Wells, Label: Billy Blue Records)

“Can’t Outrun the Blues,” Trey Hensley (songwriters: Trey Hensley/Bobby Starnes, Producer: Brent Maher, Label: Pinecastle Records)

“New Cluck Old Hen,” Steve Martin and Alison Brown (Feat. Della Mae) (Arrangement: Steve Martin/Alison Brown, Producers: Alison Brown/Garry West, Label: Compass Records)

“Cost of Living,” Authentic Unlimited (Songwriter: Jerry Cole, Producer: Authentic Unlimited, Label: Edisonic Records)

“Finding Your Way Home,” Red Camel Collective (Songwriters: Heather Berry Mabe/Joseph Scott Patrick, Producer: Red Camel Collective/Stephen Burwell, Label: Pinecastle Records)

Album of the year

Can’t Outrun the Blues, Trey Hensley (Producer: Brent Maher, Label: Pinecastle Records)

All Will Be Well, Sister Sadie (Producer: Deanie Richardson, Label: Mountain Home Music Company)

All God’s Children, East Nash Grass (Producers: Jake Stargel/East Nash Grass, Label: Mountain Fever Records)

Della Jane’s Heart, Appalachian Road Show (Producer: Appalachian Road Show, Label: Billy Blue Records)

Songs That Sing Me, Becky Buller (Producer: Stephen Mougin, Label: Dark Shadow Recording)

Gospel recording of the year

“I Will Someday,” NewFound Road (Songwriters: Ronnie Bowman/Garnet Bowman/Chris Stapleton/Morgane Stapleton, Producer: Tim Shelton, Label: Billy Blue Records)

“Where the Soul Never Dies,” Bobby Osborne & C.J. Lewandowski (Songwriter: William M. Golden, Producer: C.J. Lewandowski, Label: Turnberry Records)

“Some Day,” Blue Highway (Songwriters: Olive Stockton/Tim Stafford, Producer: Blue Highway/Dan Boner, Label: Rounder Records)

“You Don’t Knock,” Darin & Brooke Aldridge with John Cowan (Songwriters: Cedar Walton/Wesley Westbrooks, Producer: Mark Fain/Darin Aldridge, Label: Billy Blue Records)

“Two Old Church Pews,” Danny Paisley (Songwriters: Mark “Brink” Brinkman/Daryl Mosley, Producer: Greg Cole, Label: Pinecastle Records)

Instrumental recording of the year

“Grandfather’s Clock,” Bryan Sutton and Sierra Hull (Songwriter: Henry Clay Work arr. Bryan Sutton/Sierra Hull, Producer: Bryan Sutton, Label: Mountain Home Music Company)

“Big Daddy Rabbit,” Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (feat. Nathan Livers) (Songwriter: Nathan Livers, Producer: Michael Cleveland, Label: Yeah, Man Records

“Cacklin’ Hen,” Deanie Richardson and Kimber Ludiker (Songwriter: Traditional, Producer: Deanie Richardson, Label: Mountain Home Music Company)

“Let’s Get Out of Here,” Steve Martin and Alison Brown (Songwriters: Alison Brown/Steve Martin, Producers: Alison Brown/Garry West, Label: Compass Records)

“Tom & Jerry,” Andy Leftwich (Songwriter: Traditional, Producer: Andy Leftwich, Label: Mountain Home Music Company)

New artist of the year

Jaelee Roberts

Mason Via

Carson Peters & Iron Mountain

Vickie Vaughn

Daniel Grindstaff & The Uptown Troubadours

Collaborative recording of the year

“Broken Angels,” The Grascals and Dolly Parton (Songwriters: Dolly Parton/Jamie Johnson, Producer: Kent Wells, Label: Billy Blue Records)

“Gentle on My Mind,” Tony Trischka and Billy Strings (Songwriter: John Hartford, Producer: Tony Trischka/Lawson White, Label: Down the Road Records)

“New Cluck Old Hen,” Steve Martin and Alison Brown (feat. Della Mae) (Songwriters: Arr. Steve Martin/Alison Brown, Producers: Alison Brown/Garry West, Label: Compass Records)

“The Devil Went Down to Deep Gap,” Bryan Sutton with Billy Strings (Songwriters: Tom Crain/Charlie Daniels/Taz DiGregorio/Fred Edwards/Charlie Hayward/James W. Marshall adapted by Bryan Sutton/Billy Strings, Producer: Bryan Sutton, Label: Mountain Home Music Company)

“Just a Holler Over,” Sister Sadie and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys (Songwriters: Robin Macy/Deanie Richardson, Producer: Sister Sadie/C.J. Lewandowski, Label: Mountain Home Music Company)

Male vocalist of the year

Dan Tyminski

Russell Moore

Greg Blake

Del McCoury

Trey Hensley

Female vocalist of the year

Alison Krauss

Jaelee Roberts

Heather Berry Mabe

Sierra Hull

AJ Lee

Banjo player of the year

Kristin Scott Benson

Gena Britt

Ron Block

Alison Brown

Tony Trischka

Bass player of the year

Mike Bub

Vickie Vaughn

Missy Raines

Barry Bales

Alan Bartram

Fiddle player of the year

Michael Cleveland

Jason Carter

Bronwyn Keith-Hynes

Deanie Richardson

Andy Leftwich

Resophonic guitar player of the year

Justin Moses

Jerry Douglas

Rob Ickes

Andy Hall

Matt Leadbetter

Guitar player of the year

Trey Hensley

Billy Strings

Bryan Sutton

Cody Kilby

Molly Tuttle

Mandolin player of the year

Sierra Hull

Ronnie McCoury

Jesse Brock

Sam Bush

Alan Bibey

Music video of the year

“Broken Angels,” The Grascals and Dolly Parton (Videographer: Natalie Simmons, Producer: Olly Rowland)

“The Devil Went Down to Deep Gap,” Bryan Sutton with Billy Strings (Animator: Pat Bradley, SpringShoe Animation, Producer: Josh Serrato)

“Ralph’s Banjo Special,” Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, & Alison Brown (Videographer: Joseph Spence, Producer: Alison Brown)

“New Cluck Old Hen,” Steve Martin, Alison Brown (feat. Della Mae) (Videographer: Drew Levin, Producer: Alison Rose Gregory/Scott Roberts)

“Let the Circle Be Broken,” Sister Sadie (Videographer: David Rossow, Producer: Joshua Britt/Neilson Hubbard)

2026 IBMA Industry Award Nominees

Writer of the year

Paul Burch

John Curtis Goad

Derek Halsey

Garret K. Woodward

Gary Reid

Songwriter of the year

Mark “Brink” Brinkman

Chris Jones

Rick Lang

Tim Stafford

Photographer of the year

Ashli Linkous

Laci Mack

Scott Simontacchi

Jay Strausser

Madison Thorn

Broadcaster of the year

Orin Friesen, Truckers Radio USA

Barb Heller, NCPR

Matt Hutchinson, Bluegrass Jam Along podcast

Michelle Lee, Michelle Lee On Air

Peter Thompson, KALW and Bluegrass Country Radio

Graphic designer of the year

Audrey Fletcher

Robert Hakalski

Grace van’t Hof

Carla Wehby

Remy Zimmerman

Sound engineer of the year

Scott Barnett

Elliot Beckley

Key Chang

Matt Coles

Cameron Reichert

Event of the year

Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival, Annapolis, Maryland

Bluegrass in La Roche at 20, La Roche-sur-Foron, France

Bluegrass Spartanburg, Spartanburg, S.C.

CBA 50th Anniversary Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, Grass Valley, Calif.

Marysville Winter Bluegrass Series, Marysville, Ohio

Liner notes of the year

Safe Sensible & Sane – Alison Brown and Steve Martin; Liner notes by: Alison Brown and Steve Martin

Kentucky Troubadour – The Rebel Collection – Don Rigsby; Liner notes by: Daniel Mullins

Keep On Keepin’ On – Bobby Osborne, C.J. Lewandowski & Friends; Liner notes by: Daniel Mullins and C.J. Lewandowski

The Rich-R-Tone/Folk Star Story – Appalachia on Record 1946-1954; Liner notes by: Ted Olson and Matteo Ringressi

Carroll Best – The Best of the Best – Carroll Best; Liner notes by: Ted Olson

2026 IBMA Momentum Awards Nominees

Band of the year

The Creekers

ShadowGrass

Remedy Tree

The Cody Sisters

Under the Rocks

Industry involvement

Sarah Larsen

Melanie Wilson

Payton Burdette

Helen Ludé

Rebekah Speer

Instrumentalist of the year (2 awards)

Steven Moore

Lilly Anne Svrlinga

G Rockwell

Luciya Sullivan

Jean-Baptiste (JB) Cardineau

Noah Gobel

Nathan Beaumont

Vocalist of the year

Adam Miller

Lydia Hamby

Morgan Brake

Akulina Shamanov

Ellie Hakanson

Mentor of the year

Louisa Branscomb

Becky Buller

Pammy Davis Lassiter

Deanie Richardson

Jim Pankey

1990s Jamaican dancehall star Shabba Ranks has launched a court battle over his publishing rights.

Shabba (born Rexton Gordon) sued the publishing arm of reggae label Greensleeves Records on Friday (Sept. 11). The lawsuit, obtained and first reported by Billboard, aims to reclaim compositions including the Billboard Hot 100 hits “Slow and Sexy”, “Housecall”, “Mr. Loverman” and “Let’s Get It On.” Shabba’s catalog also includes the 1990 song “Dem Bow”, the namesake for reggaetón’s iconic “dembow” rhythm that is currently at the center of a long-running copyright infringement lawsuit entangling the entire genre.

Friday’s lawsuit, meanwhile, centers on copyright termination — the provision of U.S. copyright law that enables authors to claw back their intellectual property decades after signing it away. Labels and publishers have a habit of fighting back when musicians invoke this right, often leading to litigation.

Such is the case here. Shabba first notified Greensleeves in 2023 that he wanted to exercise his termination right, but the publisher said no. According to Greensleeves, Shabba’s 1989 publishing deal stipulated that his compositions were “works made for hire,” which are explicitly excluded from the copyright termination statute.

Shabba, however, is contesting the validity of that work-for-hire provision, and he wants a judge to declare that his copyright termination is effective regardless.

“The compositions are not and could not have been works made for hire under the U.S. Copyright Act, regardless of the language of the assignment,” wrote Shabba’s attorneys at Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt. “Gordon was never at any time an employee of [Greensleeves], and musical compositions are not recognized in the U.S. Copyright Act as a type of work that can be deemed a work made for hire simply by agreement between the hiring party and a non-employee author.”

Reps for Shabba and Greensleeves did not immediately return requests for comment on the lawsuit Friday.

Copyright termination is a hot topic in music law right now. Salt-N-Pepa is battling Universal Music Group (UMG) over the provision in a case that has caught the industry’s attention. Meanwhile, all three major labels are currently trying to get the Supreme Court to reverse a controversial recent ruling that extended the termination right overseas.