ArtistDirect News
Dashas Spotify Plaque, Underwoods Pop-Up, and Other Nashville Highlights at CMA Fest and Beyond
On the opening day of CMA Fest, Nashville’s skyline was lit not just by stage lights but by a milestone for a rising country star. Dasha took the stage at Spotify House on Saturday, June 4, 2026, and was presented with a Spotify Billions Club plaque. The award commemorates her breakout single, “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’),” which hit one billion streams on Spotify in November 2025.
The next day, the city’s 12 South Farmers Market buzzed with a different kind of buzz. Country icon Carrie Underwood surprised visitors on Sunday, June 5 by hosting a pop‑up for her wellness brand HiNote. She handed out samples of the HiNote Everyday Energy Daily Nutrition Drink Mix and chatted with attendees, turning a farmers market stall into a wellness corner.
A few days later, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum became a classroom. On Monday, June 6, Tenille Townes joined the museum’s beginner‑to‑intermediate Songwriting Camp as a guest artist. She performed “The Acrobat” and “Somebody’s Daughter,” then answered questions about her career, giving aspiring writers a rare inside look at the craft.
The next day, on Tuesday, June 7, the 12th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge took place, raising more than $35,000 for The Kenny Campbell Foundation. Participants ranged from Waka Flocka to Allie Colleen, with a lineup that blended country stars and pop‑rock performers.
Wednesday, June 8, saw a cross‑genre collaboration at Ascend Amphitheatre. Nashville‑based producer Kenny Whitmire appeared with pop‑artist Charlie Puth for Puth’s headline show. Together they performed Whitmire’s viral track, “I Gave Her The Moon.” Puth remarked that he expects to see Whitmire headline larger venues soon.
In the publishing world, Belmont University graduate Parker Fuller joined Young Guns Publishing as Creative Coordinator. Fuller's résumé includes internships at Creative Nation and SMACKSongs, and participation in BMI’s 2026 Catalog Cast program.
Finally, on Thursday, June 9, Larry Fleet announced the launch of his Little Fleet sponsorship program. The initiative backs youth baseball and softball teams, with current sponsors including the Kingsmen Baseball Club in Canton, North Carolina, and the Newark Braves Softball team in Newark, West Virginia.
These events illustrate the breadth of Nashville’s music ecosystem. Dasha’s plaque underscores how streaming milestones can propel a country single into mainstream recognition. Underwood’s pop‑up shows how established artists use ancillary brands to deepen fan engagement. Townes’ songwriting camp reflects the Hall of Fame’s commitment to nurturing new talent.
The fundraising effort by Craig Campbell and the Whitmire‑Puth collaboration demonstrate country musicians’ willingness to blend charity work with cross‑genre partnerships. Fuller’s new role at Young Guns signals continued investment in emerging publishing talent, while Fleet’s sponsorship program highlights a growing trend of musicians supporting local sports and community initiatives.
Taken together, these stories paint a picture of an industry that blends performance, business, philanthropy, and mentorship. Artists leverage festivals, markets, museums, and stadiums to reach audiences and advance their careers.
These events are part of a larger pattern of Nashville’s ongoing role as a hub for country music, where artists, executives, and community leaders collaborate to shape the genre’s future. As summer progresses, the city will continue to host concerts, festivals, and community projects that reflect the dynamic nature of the music industry.
The next day, the city’s 12 South Farmers Market buzzed with a different kind of buzz. Country icon Carrie Underwood surprised visitors on Sunday, June 5 by hosting a pop‑up for her wellness brand HiNote. She handed out samples of the HiNote Everyday Energy Daily Nutrition Drink Mix and chatted with attendees, turning a farmers market stall into a wellness corner.
A few days later, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum became a classroom. On Monday, June 6, Tenille Townes joined the museum’s beginner‑to‑intermediate Songwriting Camp as a guest artist. She performed “The Acrobat” and “Somebody’s Daughter,” then answered questions about her career, giving aspiring writers a rare inside look at the craft.
The next day, on Tuesday, June 7, the 12th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge took place, raising more than $35,000 for The Kenny Campbell Foundation. Participants ranged from Waka Flocka to Allie Colleen, with a lineup that blended country stars and pop‑rock performers.
Wednesday, June 8, saw a cross‑genre collaboration at Ascend Amphitheatre. Nashville‑based producer Kenny Whitmire appeared with pop‑artist Charlie Puth for Puth’s headline show. Together they performed Whitmire’s viral track, “I Gave Her The Moon.” Puth remarked that he expects to see Whitmire headline larger venues soon.
In the publishing world, Belmont University graduate Parker Fuller joined Young Guns Publishing as Creative Coordinator. Fuller's résumé includes internships at Creative Nation and SMACKSongs, and participation in BMI’s 2026 Catalog Cast program.
Finally, on Thursday, June 9, Larry Fleet announced the launch of his Little Fleet sponsorship program. The initiative backs youth baseball and softball teams, with current sponsors including the Kingsmen Baseball Club in Canton, North Carolina, and the Newark Braves Softball team in Newark, West Virginia.
These events illustrate the breadth of Nashville’s music ecosystem. Dasha’s plaque underscores how streaming milestones can propel a country single into mainstream recognition. Underwood’s pop‑up shows how established artists use ancillary brands to deepen fan engagement. Townes’ songwriting camp reflects the Hall of Fame’s commitment to nurturing new talent.
The fundraising effort by Craig Campbell and the Whitmire‑Puth collaboration demonstrate country musicians’ willingness to blend charity work with cross‑genre partnerships. Fuller’s new role at Young Guns signals continued investment in emerging publishing talent, while Fleet’s sponsorship program highlights a growing trend of musicians supporting local sports and community initiatives.
Taken together, these stories paint a picture of an industry that blends performance, business, philanthropy, and mentorship. Artists leverage festivals, markets, museums, and stadiums to reach audiences and advance their careers.
These events are part of a larger pattern of Nashville’s ongoing role as a hub for country music, where artists, executives, and community leaders collaborate to shape the genre’s future. As summer progresses, the city will continue to host concerts, festivals, and community projects that reflect the dynamic nature of the music industry.