Sound Waves & Seasonal Shifts: Inside the 2027 New Music Awards & Fall Music Special
It’s that time of year again for our 2027 New Music Awards nominations! It’s an opportunity to look across the entire music landscape and recognize the artists, songwriters and records that have made an impact on our industry. From the major-label arena to the independent music community, this is our chance to celebrate the music that has connected with radio and audiences throughout the year.


Once again, nominations are open to our subscribers and the general public. We encourage you to get the word out, participate in the nomination process and show your support for the artists and music that have made a difference. Your participation matters, and your votes can help shine a brighter spotlight on the talented performers and creators working throughout today’s music industry. Visit New Music Awards to participate.


This is also our annual Fall Music Issue, where we put the spotlight on artists from both the major-label and independent arenas who have some of the most exciting music making an impact at radio today. It’s a chance to discover new names, revisit familiar favorites and recognize the wide variety of sounds being embraced by programmers across multiple formats.

From the major-label arena, it has been a banner year for many artists who continue to make their presence felt at radio. Among those generating attention are KATSEYE, Malcolm Todd, Meek, Stella Lefty and Megan Moroney. Each artist brings a distinctive sound and perspective to the current music landscape, while demonstrating the tremendous range of talent represented across today’s major-label releases.


From the independent music arena, it has also been a banner year for artists making their mark without the resources of a major-label system. Eileen Carey, Michele Bettencourt, Lawrence Cameron McGhee, Cabela & Schmitt and PTtheGospelSpitter are among the independent names deserving recognition. Their continued efforts demonstrate the important role independent artists play in keeping new music moving forward.


All of the artists mentioned above—and the many others featured throughout our Fall Music Issue—deserve your attention. This is where the power shifts to you, the listener, programmer and music fan. Take the time to discover these artists, listen to their music and participate in the 2027 New Music Awards nomination and voting process. Your support can make a meaningful difference in bringing new talent to a wider audience.


And while Fall is just getting underway, it’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas music! Many artists are preparing new and original holiday releases in hopes of gaining national attention during the upcoming season. Radio programmers are already beginning to assemble their holiday music libraries, making this an important window for artists and labels looking to introduce fresh seasonal music to listeners.

Stella Lefty


New Music Weekly continues to provide the very best “Tools of the Trade” for the music industry. From our weekly charts covering Top40, HotAC and Country to our SpinsTrackingSystem, we remain focused on providing an accurate picture of what is really happening at radio. We’re proud to track the progress of both major-label and independent artists—and to continue giving new music the attention it deserves.
#countryradio #RadioAirplay #PTtheGospelSpitter #FallMusicIssue #Christmasmusic #2027NMAs #MeganMoroney #Katseye #EditorsDesk #MusicDelivery #Spotify #MicheleBettencourt #MalcolmTodd #IndieMusicAwards #top40radio #MusicStreaming #MusicAwards #nmas #AirplayAccess #LawrenceCameronMcGhee #Cabela&Schmitt #Meek #RadioIndustryNews #independentmusic #StellaLefty #IndieRadio #IndieMusic #IndependentArtists #radio #HotACradio #EileenCarey #2027NewMusicAwards #RadioStation #newmusicweekly https://airplayaccess.com/?p=26664

Active New Music Releases:

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Gerald Harris' father bought him an acoustic guitar when he was 12 years old, and Gerald has been on a musical journey ever since. His mother taught him to play piano and sing, and in his youth, he was a part of both the youth and adult choirs. When he was 18 Carrie Records offered him an independent recording contract to record a single. After a short-lived R&B career, he went back where he belonged, to God. He's always enjoyed writing, playing, and singing gospel music, and he began doing gospel recording sessions for different choirs, artists, and producers in Nashville and Atlanta. After that, he continued to write and compose, and his wife persuaded him to go back to the studio and do a few demos. This led ultimately to his album, Latter Rain. The album "Hope Faith And Love" almost did not happen because of his bout with colon cancer, "but God brought me through it", says Gerald. With the release of his brand-new single "If I Ever Wondered Why...
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Married music duo Cliff and Susan from Little Rock, Arkansas, impress global audiences with their vibrant, multi-genre performances. Cliff, an experienced multi-instrumentalist and producer, met Susan, an internationally successful piano entertainer, on stage in 2016. They've since performed over 200 shows annually, released standout tracks like "Drivin' Me Crazy" and "Fiddle & Keys", and even appeared on the nationally televised Huckabee Show. They've opened for national acts such as ZZ Top and Niko Moon. Aside from their music, they operate Big Red Dog Productions, a music production company. Their Yadaloo Music & Arts Festival has earned them accolades as award-winning event promoters. They also host a podcast and run the Entertainers Academy to support other independent artists. Cliff, Susan, and their three little dogs make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas. The release of their fabulous rendition of "Into The Mystic" (MTS) they ...
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Conner Smith is opening up in a deeply personal way with his new single, “Never Be Gone,” a tribute to his late grandfather and his second self-written release of the year. The emotional track begins with a real voicemail from his grandfather, setting the tone for a song rooted in faith, family, and the lasting impact of love and hard work. Through vivid memories—like references to an ’87 Chevy and Southern traditions—Smith reflects on the lessons that continue to shape him. “I sure wish my grandpa was here to listen to this record – he would’ve loved his feature,” Smith shared. “Songs like this are why I thank God I get to be a part of country music.” “Never Be Gone” also appears on Smith’s recent acoustic collection STORIES I’VE NEVER TOLD, where he wrote several of the tracks on his own, further highlighting his personal storytelling. The release comes as the rising country artist builds momentum onstage. He recently performed at the Ryman Auditorium for the Breland & Friends be...
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