Belmont University Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business Dean Brittany Schaffer has been named CEO of the Country Music Association, succeeding the retiring Sarah Trahern. Schaffer joins CMA Sept. 8 and transitions to CEO Jan. 1 following Trahern's departure (Breaking News 1/14/2026).

"Our search committee set out to find a leader who understands the responsibility of representing this industry, not just the opportunity of it," says CMA Board Chair Jay Williams. "We met with an exceptional group of candidates, and we believe Brittany is exactly the leader to carry this organization into its next era, and to make sure country music's influence continues to expand well beyond Nashville."

"Country music meets people where they are, and it changes lives every day," says Schaffer. "That starts with songwriters and artists and everyone who carries this music to fans around the world. Serving them is the honor of a lifetime. Sarah Trahern will leave CMA and this community stronger than she found it. I'm grateful for her mentorship and friendship, and for a transition marked by the same professionalism and intentionality that defined her tenure. Together with CMA's talented staff and members, we'll build on that foundation."

Schaffer joined Belmont three years ago (CAT 3/13/2023) after more than five years as Head/Artist & Label Partnerships at Spotify. Prior to that, she was an entertainment attorney at Loeb & Loeb.

Triple Tigers Records Co-President Kevin Herring has stepped down and will henceforth serve as a strategic advisor focusing on A&R and label strategy. "This is the first step toward retirement for me," Herring says. "I'm grateful for the chance to step back and play a support role that allows me more control of my own schedule, including more time with my wife and grandson, while still coaching staff and fostering artists' careers with Triple Tigers."

Founding Partner George Couri adds, "This label has the best batting average of achieving radio No. 1s in country music history. That is because of the team that Kevin put together and led. We are so grateful he's agreed to stay on in this new capacity." Herring was named Co-President alongside Annie Ortmeier in 2023 (Breaking News 9/13/2023), having joined the label as SVP/Promotion in 2017. Prior stops include Warner, Lyric Street and Mercury. His career started in radio at WWWW/Detroit. Reach him here. 

Triple Tigers VP/Radio Promotion Raffaella Braun has been named Co-President alongside Annie Ortmeier. The news follows yesterday's announcement of Kevin Herring stepping into an advisory role. "I’ve seen her lead teams, solve problems and think far beyond radio promotion, figuring out ways to connect an artist with a larger audience," says Founder/Managing Partner George Couri, to whom Braun reports. Adds Braun, "I’m beyond honored for the opportunity to step into this role and continue working with the exceptional team for the good of our incredible artists and their unbounded art." Braun joined the label in 2019 (CAT 10/1/19) after eight years with Warner Music Nashville, and rose to her most recent position in 2023 (CAT 10/11/23). Reach her here.

Blue Rate Special: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for May 2026 (three-month rolling average, 3/5-5/27) compared with March and April. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

Goodyear Good Year: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for May 2026 (three-month rolling average, 3/5-5/27) compared with March and April. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.