THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION BRINGS GROUNDBREAKING MENTAL HEALTH CONVERSATION AND SIGNATURE SONGWRITERS SERIES TO SXSW 2026
In Partnership with Amber Health, Panel Explores Mental Health in Touring with Wyatt Flores, William Dyer, Dr. Chayim Newman and Tiffany Kerns
CMA Songwriters Series Features Intimate Performances by Chase McDaniel, Ingrid Andress, Tiera Kennedy and Wyatt Flores
As part of its year-round commitment to championing and supporting the artists and professionals shaping Country Music, the Country Music Association (CMA) will bring two impactful events to SXSW 2026 on March 13: a panel discussion exploring how mental health is redefining live music, and its signature CMA Songwriters Series that evening, presented in partnership with Amber Health.
The panel, taking place from 11:30 AM–12:30 PM CT at Downright Austin in Capitol Ballroom E, will explore how Country artist Wyatt Flores, William Dyer, Flores’ manager, and Dr. Chayim Newman, clinical psychologist and Co-Founder, Amber Health, joined forces to reimagine tour support and pioneer a new, replicable model for artist care in Country Music. Joined by Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations and Philanthropy, the conversation will spotlight CMA’s collaboration behind the initiative and how it embeds sustainable mental health resources directly within the touring ecosystem, ensuring that care and support are accessible year-round.
Rooted in honesty, connection and authenticity, the CMA Songwriters Series will take place at Central Presbyterian Church at 8 PM CT, opening with a special performance by Georgia Webster. The evening will then feature Chase McDaniel, Ingrid Andress, Tiera Kennedy and Flores in a traditional writers round format. The intimate event invites each songwriter to take turns sharing the stories behind the songs and performing them as originally written, offering audiences a rare, up-close look at the craft of songwriting.
“Country Music has always been rooted in real stories and real emotion,” says Kerns. “Bringing an empowering conversation and a CMA Songwriters Series to SXSW gives us the opportunity to showcase that tradition in its most authentic form, while reinforcing our commitment to the well-being of the artists and industry professionals who make this music possible. Just as important, we’re looking forward to connecting with Austin’s dynamic music community, celebrating the creativity that defines the city and building lasting relationships rooted in a shared passion for great music.”
“Our partnership with CMA has put Country Music at the forefront of the efforts to better support the mental health of artists and their crews on tour, especially for early-career and emerging artists,” says Newman. “We’re excited to share these efforts and their real-world impact with the audience at SXSW this year, hopefully inspiring attendees and the Austin community to find ways to participate in this shared mission.”
Both events underscore CMA’s broader investment in mental health and well-being across the music industry. Building on years of support for industry-focused initiatives, CMA significantly expanded its financial commitment in 2024, with further growth in 2025, deepening its investment not only in the music itself, but in the long-term health, sustainability and future of the artists, songwriters and professionals who power Country Music forward.
About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. Music industry professionals and companies across the U.S. and around the globe are members of CMA. The organization serves as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advances the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on ABC.
About Amber Health
Amber Health is the only full service mental health and wellness solution for the music industry. Established in 2020 by Dr. Chayim Newman and Zack Borer, LMFT, Amber Health is grounded in the belief that mental and emotional well-being are not just important but essential for the survival and evolution of the music industry. Supporting artists, tours, events, and music companies, Amber Health’s innovative approach shifts the focus from reactive to proactive care, offering tailored programs built to sustain career longevity in an industry challenged by stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and substance use.
Amber Health has supported tours and teams behind artists including Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, and Shakira, and has partnered with leading organizations including MusiCares, and the Country Music Association to provide mental health services at scale across the industry.
Photo Credit: CMA
