Bits & Pieces: BMI/Nashville has named songwriter Lee Thomas Miller as its 2026 Songwriter Ambassador in Residence. The new initiative is designed to "deepen engagement with songwriters as they navigate both the art and the business of music." Miller will host his own BMI Acoustic Lounge, lead BMI’s round at the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival and perform at BMI’s Key West Songwriters Festival, among other events throughout the year. 

Dolly Parton is releasing a new charity single on Friday (1/16), "Light Of A Clear Blue Morning," featuring Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah and Reba McEntire. Proceeds will benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville in celebration of Parton's 80th birthday (1/19). The track, co-written and previously recorded by Parton, also features David Foster on piano and backing vocals from the The Christ Church Choir of Nashville. It will be available to radio via PlayMPE at 11pm CT on Thursday.