September 2025

Picture of Charley Pride - Photo by Ben de Rienzo - Maverick

Lost Charley Pride Album to Be Released

A long-lost album from country music legend Charley Pride will finally see the light of day this autumn, nearly five years after the singer’s passing. Endlessly: A Tribute to Brook Benton, recorded in the mid-1980s but never released, will be unveiled on September 19 via Music City Records—marking what would have been Benton’s 94th birthday. The record, unearthed from forgotten tape reels found in Pride’s Dallas production office in 2017 and digitised in 2021, showcases Pride’s reverence for the iconic R&B artist Brook Benton. Featuring tracks like “It’s Just a Matter of Time,” “Kiddio” and the first single “Thank You Pretty Baby”, the album reflects a soulful, genre-blending approach that extends beyond Pride’s usual country roots. Originally recorded between contracts with RCA and 16th Avenue Records, the album captures Pride at a creatively liberating moment in his career. The sessions, produced by Bob Pickering at CECCA Sound, feature a string section and a stellar cast of North Texas musicians, including Chuck Rainey (Steely Dan), Gene Glover, Fred Crane, Jerry Matheny, and Billy Briggs Jr. The songs predominantly hail from Benton’s prolific 1959–61 period, with Pride’s distinctive baritone bringing a fresh yet nostalgic energy to each track. The album’s vintage sonic textures blend country, R&B, and pop, demonstrating Pride’s underappreciated musical versatility. As one of the most trailblazing artists in country music history—with 40 #1 hits and over 10 million records sold—Charley Pride’s influence remains significant. This posthumous release adds a powerful new chapter to his legacy, honouring both Benton’s songwriting and Pride’s own boundary-defying artistry. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0)20 7139 8641 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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CMA Awards Nominees to Be Unveiled Monday

Nominees for the 59th Annual CMA Awards will be announced on Monday, September 8 at 12:00 PM CT via a livestream on the Country Music Association’s official Facebook and YouTube channels. The reveal will also include finalists for the CMA Broadcast Awards, marking a key milestone in the lead-up to November’s major event. The CMA Awards ceremony itself will be broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 19 via ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu. The CMA Awards, first held in 1967, remains the longest-running annual music awards broadcast on network television. It celebrates the top achievements across country music, with winners and nominees selected by CMA’s professional voting membership—spanning artists, songwriters, musicians, producers, and industry professionals. The awards are part of CMA’s broader television slate, which also includes CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0)20 7139 8641 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Picture of Tim Brink - Photo by Sam Busk - Maverick

Tim Brink Releases New Country Tune “Red Sand”

Canadian singer-songwriter Tim Brink has released his latest single, Red Sand—an atmospheric country track that continues his exploration of moody, southern gothic storytelling. The track is the latest offering from Brink and his band The Rising, a project that fuses Americana, blues, and cinematic influences to create immersive, narrative-driven songs. Brink, a seasoned Quebecois vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, is known for his gravel-edged voice and evocative performances. His career includes touring with the band Pete Möss, reaching the finals of La Voix IV (the French-Canadian version of The Voice), and even being considered for the role of lead singer with Stone Temple Pilots. With Red Sand, Brink further defines his distinct musical identity—bridging country, rock, and noir-inspired lyricism. The new track, described by Brink as “a place where you are the only one standing between right and wrong in a world of dust,” captures the cinematic ethos central to his recent work. It follows the sonic themes of The Rising’s debut project, Dark City, which was produced by guitarist Samuel Busque and Michel Francoeur, and mixed and mastered at Red Tubes Studio. Drawing inspiration from the soundscapes of Yellowstone, True Detective, and Justified, Brink and The Rising craft what they describe as “music that plays like a reel of film unspooling in your mind.” The band’s style has drawn comparisons to Colter Wall, Orville Peck, and Chris Stapleton, while also referencing the raw storytelling of Johnny Cash and the tension-filled energy of Tarantino soundtracks. Red Sand reflects Brink’s continued commitment to crafting layered, narrative-rich country music rooted in emotion, imagery, and sonic boldness. It marks another step in his journey to bring a darker, more cinematic tone to the genre, appealing to fans of both traditional Americana and boundary-pushing roots music. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0)20 7139 8641 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Picture of JWS and SMP teams - Photo by avannah Spencer - Maverick

Peytan Porter Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal

Singer/songwriter Peytan Porter has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Jody Williams Songs and Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “I’m incredibly excited to begin this next chapter of my artistry and songwriting career with Jody Williams Songs and Sony Music Publishing,” shares Porter. “For the past five years, JWS has been a safe, inspiring space for me to grow and create, so I’m deeply grateful to continue evolving with them while also stepping into new possibilities by joining the powerhouse that is SMP. Like the best art, this partnership lives at the intersection of familiarity and forward momentum. I can’t wait to see what we build together.” “I’ve been a fan of Peytan for years now. She’s an incredibly talented vocalist who knows exactly who she is as an artist and a songwriter. I have so much respect for the Jody Williams Songs team and the talent they’ve been fostering – I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with them as we champion Peytan and her music,” shares Synnovea Halsel, Manager of Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville. “Partnering with Synnovea on this next chapter in Peytan’s career was such an obvious choice,” adds Nina Jenkins Fisher, JWS Vice President/General Manager. “She has an incredible ear and is laser focused. Alongside Rusty, she hypes up her roster like no one else. They see the vision for this next season with Peytan, and we couldn’t be more excited.” A genre-blurring artist in today’s country and indie music scene, Porter’s roots in Appalachian country paired with a deep love for songwriting finds the Georgia native blending personal experiences with universal themes. Her breakout project In My Head garnered over 10 million streams, and her Grown EP features fan favorites like “God’s Hotel,” “Speaking of Georgia” and “Lemonade.” She has toured with Tim McGraw and shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Ian Munsick, Hailey Whitters, Brett Eldrdge and Jon Pardi. With a strong online presence, Peytan has cultivated a loyal following of 330k across various platforms and boasts 50 million views on TikTok. Her active engagement with fans and the positive reception of her new music on social media showcase her ability to connect authentically with listeners. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0)20 7139 8641 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Picture of Fanny Lumsden - Photo by Dara Munnis - Maverick

Fanny Lumsden Releases New Single “Look At Me Now!

Hot on the heels of a hugely successful eight weeks touring Europe this summer, Australian dynamo Fanny Lumsden has released a brand-new single “Look At Me Now”, reflecting on her musical journey so far. Recorded whilst on the road in Europe, featuring her live band The Prawn Stars, Fanny said of the new single: “This is a love letter to my younger self. The amount of “no’s” I experienced in this industry is wild, and every single one I am grateful for, because they made me the person and artist I am today. Not the wins, but all the losses, the struggles and the hard moments. “I think it’s also a reminder that ‘success’ can be an illusion, and really you can find success in every step along the way. “It’s a cliche but I’m feeling reflective and grateful that I can still be driving the van, self-managed, doing my own make up in the rear-view mirror and yet doing the biggest shows of my career all at the same time. “I wanted this song to feel real and hopeful and authentic to my live band who do all the miles with me and load the van and see the lows as well as the highs. “Recording it was a crazy process of fitting in recording sessions whilst on the road. So, we are very grateful to Matt Fell for wielding his magic and helping us make it happen.” On August 23, Fanny rounded off eight weeks in Europe by opening the main stage at the prestigious The Long Road Festival in Leicestershire following a run that had taken in a triumphant 23 date headline tour, a sold-out Country Halls tour in Scotland, 7 festivals and a support slot with fellow Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. Maintaining her reputation as “the hardest working woman in showbiz”, Fanny stepped off the stage that Saturday straight on to a plane back home to open for Kelly on his antipodean Arena Tour with Lucinda Williams. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0)20 7139 8641 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Picture of The Band Perry - Photo by Jasmine Safaeian - Maverick

The Band Perry Reissues Self-Titled Debut Album

GRAMMY-winning trio The Band Perry has re-released their chart-topping, self-titled debut album in a remastered edition—bringing new polish to the record that launched them into country stardom in 2010. Originally released by Big Machine Label Group, The Band Perry went Platinum in the U.S., selling over one million copies and producing some of the genre’s most enduring hits. Chief among them is “If I Die Young,” a 9x Platinum single that earned CMA Song and Single of the Year awards, a GRAMMY nomination, and a 53-week stay on the Billboard Hot 100. Other fan favourites include “You Lie,” “All Your Life,” and “Postcard From Paris.” The new edition comes as the family band—now comprising Reid Perry, Kimberly Perry, and Johnny Costello—returns to its country roots. Following a brief hiatus and artistic reinvention, the trio recently announced a renewed partnership with Big Machine via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, and new management under Make Wake Artists. To mark the occasion, The Band Perry performed at Big Machine 20 on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. Fans got to enjoy a celebration of both past success and future promise. “After stepping away to take a break and evolve, we’re feeling more grounded, more fired-up, and more connected to our roots than ever,” they shared in a statement. “Country music has always been home for us.” The group is currently in the studio with producer Dann Huff working on new material. The remastered album, featuring all 11 original tracks—including several RIAA-certified hits—signals both a homecoming and a fresh start for one of country music’s most successful sibling acts. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0)20 7139 8641 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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