Ross Copperman Maintains No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart For Six Weeks

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Ross Copperman is spending his sixth week at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. The credits that are holding him in the pinnacle spot are Brett Young’s recent No. 1, “Catch,” as well as Luke Bryan’s “What She Wants Tonight,” Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey’s “The Other Girl,” and Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s duet “Nobody But You.”

Craig Wiseman (No. 2), Ashley Gorley (No. 3), Shane McAnally (No. 4) and Jonathan Singleton (No. 5) round out the top five.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Launches Interactive Songwriting Programs

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is bringing two of its most popular programs, including the weekly Songwriter Sessions and its education program Words & Music, to Instagram Live. Beginning April 14, the museum will host its weekly Songwriter Sessions, with viewers encouraged to pose questions to the featured songwriters via Instagram. The Songwriter Sessions will begin at 8:00 p.m. CT and will be hosted by the CMHOF’s director of public programs Abi Tapia.

Among the upcoming featured songwriters are Laura Veltz, Luke Laird, Caitlyn Smith, Eric Paslay, Brandy Clark and Charlie Worsham.

Words & Music At Home will be an extension of the Words & Music program and will begin Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m. Tenille Townes will perform and will participate in an interview about songwriting, led by CMHoF outreach and music programs manager Adam Ollendorff.

“Music is a powerful gift that unites us, stimulates creativity and provides relief while we stay home and implement social distancing,” said Lisa Purcell, the museum’s senior vice president, education, development and community engagement. “This is why the museum will take our most popular songwriting programs live online and invite the world to participate with us.”

Upcoming Songwriter Sessions:

April 14
Laura Veltz, whose compositions include “Bones” (Maren Morris), “Speechless” (Dan + Shay) and “What If I Never Get Over You” (Lady Antebellum).
April 21
Luke Laird, whose compositions include “Hard to Forget” (Sam Hunt), “American Kids” (Kenny Chesney) and “Space Cowboy” (Kacey Musgraves).
April 28
Caitlyn Smith, whose compositions include “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend), “You Can’t Make Old Friends” (Country Music Hall of Fame members Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers) and her own single “Long Time Coming.”
May 5
Eric Paslay, whose compositions include “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band) and his own hit “Friday Night.”
May 12
Brandy Clark, whose compositions include her singles “Bigger Boat,” which features Randy Newman, “Hold My Hand” and “Who You Thought I Was.”
May 19
Charlie Worsham, whose compositions include “Love You To The Moon” (Kip Moore) and his own singles “Mississippi In July” and “Old Time’s Sake.”

Billy Ray Cyrus Joins Higher Together Concert Set For April 20

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Billy Ray Cyrus. Photo: Tish Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus will join Ari Lennox, Wiz Khalifa, Joey “CoCo” Diaz and more will take part in the virtual concert Higher Together: Sessions From Home, a 4/20 virtual celebration set for Monday, April 20 beginning at noon PST. Hosted by Weedmaps a tech and software provider for the cannabis industry, the concert will bring together artists, comedians and entertainers to perform exclusive sets from their homes.

Cyrus will debut his new single “Hillbilly Ray,” along with an accompanying music video, as part of his 4/20 set. The track is an update on the 1970s theme song of The Beverly Hillbillies.

“Be a Bogart. If you care, don’t share. Don’t pass your joint or pipe around, it’s just not safe to do right now. Let’s all take a breather, chill out on 4/20 and jam to some new music. We’re gonna have a good time,” Cyrus shared.

The free Weedmaps’ Higher Together: Sessions From Home event can be viewed at  weedmaps.com/420 beginning at 12 p.m. (PST) / 3 p.m. (EST) on Monday, April 20.

Weekly Register: Sam Hunt’s ‘Southside’ Debuts At No. 1

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Sam Hunt‘s long-awaited sophomore album, Southside, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Southside, released on MCA Nashville, moved 46K in total consumption, marking Hunt’s second No. 1 debut on the country albums chart and his second Top 5 debut on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart.

Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get shifts down to No. 2 this week (22.5K) followed by Combs’ debut album from 2016, This One’s For You at No. 3 (19K). Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me is at No. 4 (17K), followed by Ashley McBryde‘s sophomore album Never Will, which rounds out the Top 5 with 12K in its debut week.

The late John Prine‘s 1999 album In Spite of Ourselves re-enters the country albums chart this week at No. 55.

On the Country On-Demand Streaming Songs chart, Gabby Barrett‘s “I Hope” retains the No. 1 position for a second week, with 8.4 million streams.

Diplo & Julia Michaels with Morgan Wallen’s “Heartless” is at No. 2 with 7.5 million steams. Sam Hunt’s “Hard To Forget” is at No. 3 this week, with 6.9 million streams. Maren Morris‘ “The Bones” is at No. 4 with 6.9 million streams. Old Dominion‘s “One Man Band” rounds out the Top 5 with 6.5 million streams this week.

This week’s top debut on the Country On-Demand Streaming Songs chart also comes from Hunt’s new album, with the track “2016.”

ACM Lifting Lives Encourages Continued Support For COVID-19 Response Fund

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The ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund has already raised over $1 million dollars to help individuals in the country music community who are experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic, and as of April 10, ACM Lifting Lives has already granted $970,000 of the fund, which was only launched last week, giving an average of $138,000 per day.

The fund is helping to alleviate the burden that many behind-the-scenes professionals such as touring personnel and musicians, songwriters and developing artists are facing as the industry has been hit hard with canceled tours, shows, job losses and reduced work opportunities, venue closures, and corporate furloughs. ACM Lifting Lives is currently getting back to people with approvals and checks mailed out within a matter of days.

To continue providing critical support to the country music community, the ACM is asking for help to raise awareness and additional funds for the COVID-19 Response Fund and as a sign of their commitment to the cause, ACM Lifting Lives will match up to an additional $250,000 of incoming gifts. ACM and ACM Lifting Lives will recognize those gifts on its website, its social platforms, and via e-mail communication to members and fans. For more information or to make a contribution visit ACMLiftingLives.org.

Brett Young Earns Sixth Consecutive Chart-Topper With "Catch"

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Brett Young has achieved his sixth consecutive No. 1 song with his latest single, “Catch.” The track, which he co-wrote with Ashley Gorley and Ross Copperman, landed at the top spot on both the Mediabase/Country Airplay and Billboard country charts.

The song has also received Gold RIAA certifications in the U.S. and Canada, and has over 141 million streams worldwide. Young’s previous No. 1 hits include  “In Case You Didn’t Know” (5X Platinum), “Mercy” (2X Platinum), “Sleep Without You” (Platinum), “Like I Loved You” (Platinum),  and “Here Tonight” (Platinum).

“I can’t believe we are celebrating another No. 1 with ‘Catch,’” Young shared. “I’m overwhelmed by the continued support I’ve received from my fans and country radio. These always feel good, but in our current situation this one feels extra special to celebrate with my family. Thank y’all SO MUCH!”

Young’s duet with Norwegian singer/songwriter Astrid S “I Do” also continues to heat up, tallying over 11 million global streams with an acoustic performance video recently released for the tune.

Ashley McBryde Joins #SingforStJude

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Ashley McBryde and St. Jude patient Alexander

Ashley McBryde is joining the many artists teaming up for #SingforStJude to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. On Monday (April 13) at 2:30 p.m. CT, the reigning ACM New Female Artist and CMA New Artist of the Year McBryde will join in for a live performance on her Facebook page, which will be simulcast from St. Jude’s official account as well.

The Warner Music Nashville artist recently released her sophomore full-length album, Never Will.

Sturgill Simpson Tests Positive For COVID-19

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Sturgill Simpson. Photo: Courtesy: Full Coverage Communications

Sturgill Simpson has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, he has reported in an instagram post.

According to Simpson’s post on April 12, following a Western European tour in late January/early February and days after a South Carolina date in mid-March, Simpson ended up in a Nashville emergency room with chest pains and a fever, but was told he did not meet criteria for the COVID-19 test at that time. He and his wife drove to a drive-thru test center a few weeks later and received the results a few days ago. His wife tested negative for the virus.

He is currently in quarantine at his dojo, and his tour is tentatively slated to resume later this month.

View this post on Instagram

 

Ok since they are in short supply these days here are some facts… We were on tour in Western Europe for two weeks late Jan /early Feb..then up and down the southeast/eastern US playing arena shows mid Feb to early March. We played Charleston, SC on March 10 and they pulled the plug on our tour March 12 and I returned home. This photo was taken at 9am on March 13th when my wife took me to our local hospital ER due to chest pains, fever, and pre-stroke blood pressure levels. I spent an hour listening to a (highly condescending) Doctor refuse to test me because I “did not fit testing criteria” and tell me why it was impossible that I had contracted the virus due to its extreme rarity and that it was not in western Europe yet during that same period (which we now know is incorrect) even though I was told by two nurses that I was the first person their hospital had walk in requesting to be tested. Almost one month later on April 6th my wife and I were both tested after finally finding a free drive-thru testing facility outside a National Guard depot. Yesterday on Friday April 10th, after almost one month without any symptoms, I received a call from the Nashville CDC stating that my test resulted in a positive detection for Covid-19. My wife (who has been by my side since Europe) tested negative. I should also add that the CDC nurse I spoke to yesterday told me that it reacts differently in a case by case basis and the White House briefings and the information they are providing is basically pure speculation causing fear and that the only thing anybody knows is that we don’t really know much yet. All I know is I first felt symptoms a month ago yet Im still positive and contagious and now on quarantine in the dojo until April 19th and really wishing Id taken my wife’s advice and put a bathroom in the floor plans..live and learn. (Edited: This ?? last paragraph is where the facts become my opinion on my page..though all still true) But hey, at least our Government appointed task force headed by a man who does not believe in science is against mass testing and we now have a second task force in the works to “open America back up for business”! Dick Daddy out.

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Tennessee’s COVID-19 Deaths Top 100

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The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 5,308 cases of COVID-19 across the state, as of Sunday (April 12). 567 individuals in the state have ever been hospitalized with the COVID-19 coronavirus and 101 individuals have died.

Davidson County has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Tennessee, with 1,178 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and has the third-highest number of deaths in the state, with 13 deaths, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Health. Shelby County leads the state in the number of cases with 1,215, while Sumner County has had the greatest number of deaths, with 22.

Approximately 71,000 tests have been processed and reported by the state. The average age of Tennesseans affected by COVID-19 is 45, while individuals aged 21-30 make up the age group with the largest percentage of cases in the state, with 21% of all cases in the state (1,112 active cases).

1,504 individuals across the state have recovered from COVID-19, which the Tennessee Department of Health defines as persons defined to be asymptomatic and have completed the required isolation period and who are at least 21 days beyond the first test confirming their illness.

Burning Man 2020 Cancels Due To COVID-19 Pandemic

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Arts and music festival Burning Man has canceled for the first time in its 30+ year history, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burning Man Project organizers announced the cancellation on Friday (April 10). The week-long event had been scheduled for Aug. 30-Sept. 7 at Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

“After much listening, discussion, and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision not to build Black Rock City in 2020,” the announcement reads. “Given the painful reality of COVID-19, one of the greatest global challenges of our lifetimes, we believe this is the right thing to do…In 2020 we need human connection and Immediacy more than ever. But public health and the well-being of our participants, staff and neighbors in Nevada are our highest priorities.”

This year’s Burning Man theme was “The Multiverse,” and organizers say they have decided the festival will take place virtually, in keeping with its theme.

“That’s the theme for 2020 so we’re going to lean into it. Who’d have believed it would come true? We look forward to welcoming you to Virtual Black Rock City 2020,” the statement reads. “We’re not sure how it’s going to come out; it will likely be messy and awkward with mistakes. It will also likely be engaging, connective, and fun.”

Organizers are also offering refunds to those who want them.

Burning Man Project CEO Marian Goodell addressed viewers in a YouTube message below: