Luke Bryan To Lead Three-Hour CMA Fest Retrospective On ABC

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Luke Bryan. Photo: Jim Wright

Luke Bryan will host CMA Best of the Fest, a three-hour CMA retrospective special to air Monday, July 13 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC. The live concert experience features more than 25 performances that have aired as part of 16 years of CMA Fest, as well as a new performance from Bryan and special guest Darius Rucker.

Other artists featured in the special include Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dan + Shay, Lzzy Hale, Sam Hunt, Joan Jett, Lady A, Miranda Lambert, Lil Nas X, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakam and Zac Brown Band, with special appearances by Bobby Bones, Jim Gaffigan, Kirk Herbstreit, Peyton Manning, Lionel Richie, Rob Riggle, Gwen Stefani, Michael Strahan and Rita Wilson. CMA Best of Fest is executive produced by Robert Deaton.

On July 1, artists Jimmie Allen and Lindsay Ell will host the livestream event CMA Summer Stay-Cay presented by Budweiser Nitro Gold. Fans can visit CMA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page to catch more than 50 of their favorite country acts take part in performances, games and Q&As as part of the summer celebration. A full lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.

Both events celebrate CMA Fest, which was canceled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CMA Fest will return to Nashville on June 10-13, 2021.

Matt Dragstrem Moves Into Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Matt Dragstrem moves up two slots into the No. 10 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with co-writer credits on Thomas Rhett’s “Be A Light” and Luke Bryan’s “One Margarita,” which is at No. 1 for the second week in a row on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Other than Dragstrem, the top 10 on the Songwriter Chart remain the same as last week’s ranking, with Craig Wiseman at the top for his eighth consecutive week.

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.

Warner Music’s Shari Roth Promoted To National Director, Radio & Streaming

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Shari Roth

Shari Roth has been promoted to National Director, Radio & Streaming (Team WEA) at Warner Music Nashville. Her roster includes A Thousand Horses, Devin Dawson, High Valley, Ingrid Andress, Kenny Chesney, Michael Ray, Morgan Evans, Ryan Griffin and Tyler Braden. Roth will report to VP Radio Tom Martens.

“Shari has been an incredible asset to the WEA team since day one,” Martens said. “Her experience in the industry is invaluable, and her connection to our artists and their management teams is unparalleled. Between her relationships and her fighting spirit, Shari is the best person to lead the charge.”

Added SVP Radio Kristen Williams, “Shari knows what needs to be done and will get it done. She’s no fuss but a lot of fun. We’re incredibly lucky to have her – and the world is lucky that we’re getting one more crazy-driving regional off the road!”

In addition to five years as a regional manager at Warner Music Nashville, Roth spent more than six years at BMLG between Republic Nashville and The Valory Music Company. The longtime Chicago resident will relocate to Nashville in 2021.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Roth said. “I’ve worked in country promotions for more than 15 years, and this is the best promotions team that I’ve had the pleasure of working on. We are a close-knit group that consistently excels. I love learning and challenging myself, and I will continue finding creative ways of instilling that passion and creativity into our great team to deliver even more airplay for our unbelievable artists.”

BIG D Joins Nashville’s The BIG 98

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BIG D

Nashville’s The BIG 98 will welcome BIG D to the station as an on-air personality, effective immediately. BIG D will broadcast weekday afternoons from 3 p.m.- 7 p.m, with BIG D discussing the latest local and pop culture headlines, sharing personal stories and perspectives from artists in the Nashville community.

BIG D joins iHeartMedia Nashville from 95.5 The Bull in Las Vegas, where he most recently served as a program director and afternoon drive on-air personality. BIG D began his radio career at St. Cloud, Minnesota’s KCLD-FM.

“It’s an absolute honor to accept a job in country radio, working in the country music capital for the iHeartCountry Flagship station, The Big 98,” said BIG D. “This is an opportunity I’ve worked my entire career for and I’m thankful to iHeartMedia for giving me the chance to join one of the top market-leading brands. My family and I can’t wait to call Nashville home.”

“BIG D is an absolute pro on all levels and Nashville is going to love him as much as we do,” said Gator Harrison, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Nashville. “Plus his name is BIG, BIG D on The BIG 98 – nothing makes more sense than that. Now we have to find the perfect partner and producer for BIG D. If interested, listeners can help me get to know them by applying.”

Kenny Chesney Announces Rescheduled Chillaxification Tour Dates For 2021

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Kenny Chesney. Photo: Jill Trunnell.

Kenny Chesney‘s rescheduled Chillaxification Tour dates for 2021 have been announced. The stadium tour, which had to be postponed due to the pandemic, will visit 18 venues with the same lineup of special guests: Florida Georgia Line, Old Dominion and Michael Franti & Spearhead. Rescheduled amphitheater show dates will be announced shortly.

“I kept talking to experts, city officials, team owners, medical people, looking to understand how we were coming along with resolving the health issues,” said Chesney about the decision. “I had kept hoping that as time passed, information would not only increase, but there would be some sort of solution so people could come back together. But things weren’t getting any clearer, so I did the hardest thing for me, but obviously best option for the safety of No Shoes Nation, my road family and everyone at the buildings involved.”

Original tickets are automatically valid for the rescheduled show dates, and patrons unable to attend the rescheduled shows have until July 15 to request a refund at the point of purchase. The 2020 shows in Houston and San Antonio are unable to be rescheduled for 2021, and ticket holders in those markets will also receive a refund.

Kenny Chesney 2021 Chillaxification Tour Stadium Dates:
May 1: Raymond James Stadium-Tampa, Fla.
May 8: Miller Park-Milwaukee, Wis.
May 15: Nissan Stadium-Nashville, Tenn.
May 22: Mercedes-Benz Stadium-Atlanta, Ga.
May 29: Arrowhead Stadium-Kansas City, Mo.
June 5: U.S. Bank Stadium-Minneapolis, Minn.
June 12: Heinz Field-Pittsburgh, Pa.
June 19: Lincoln Financial Field-Philadelphia, Pa.
June 26: Soldier Field-Chicago, Ill.
July 3: Bobcat Stadium-Bozeman, Mont.
July 10: Busch Stadium-St. Louis, Mo.
July 17: CenturyLink Field-Seattle, Wash.
July 24: SoFi Stadium-Inglewood, Calif.
July 31: Empower Field at Mile High-Denver, Colo.
Aug. 7: AT&T Stadium-Arlington, Texas
Aug. 14: Ford Field-Detroit, Mich.
Aug. 21: MetLife Stadium-East Rutherford, N.J.
Aug. 27-28: Gillette Stadium-Foxborough, Mass.

Weekly Register: Luke Combs, Gabby Barrett Retain Sales Leads

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Photo (c) 2019 David Bergman for Sony Records Nashville

Luke Combs remains at No. 1 this week on the country albums chart with What You See Is What You Get moving 25K in total consumption according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me is at No. 2 (22K), followed by Combs’ This One’s For You (21K) and Sam Hunt‘s Southside at No. 4 (16K). Blake Shelton‘s Fully Loaded: God’s Country rounds out the Top 5 country albums this week with 11K in total consumption.

Likewise, on the Country On-Demand Audio Streaming chart, Gabby Barrett‘s “I Hope” retains the lead this week, with 10 million streams. Diplo and Julia Michaels (ft. Morgan Wallen)’s “Heartless” is at No. 2 with 9.2 million streams. Wallen’s “Chasin’ You” is at No. 3 with 8.1 million streams, followed by Maren Morris‘ “The Bones” at No. 4 with 7.5 million streams. Sam Hunt‘s “Hard to Forget” rounds out the Top 5 with 7 million streams.

The top country debut this week comes from Brantley Gilbert at No. 42 with “Hard Days” earning 2.9 million streams.

Carly Pearce, Lee Brice Hit No. 1

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Lee Brice and Carly Pearce. Photo: John Shearer

Carly Pearce and Lee Brice‘s collaboration, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” has reached the pinnacle of both Mediabase’s country radio chart and Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart this week.

“We are celebrating a No. 1 together. Life is crazy, y’all. Life takes you places you never thought & makes the most beautiful moments,” Pearce said via Instagram. “Thank you @leebrice for lending your incredible voice to this song. What started as my apology to someone from my past, ended up giving me closure and making me realize we ALL fall short sometimes and all go through hard stuff. So very grateful to be celebrating my second No. 1 & am so thankful to country radio & all of YOU!”

The track marks Pearce’s second No. 1 single, following her debut chart-topper from 2017, “Every Little Thing.” Brice’s string of No. 1 hits also includes “Rumor,” “I Don’t Dance,” “I Drive Your Truck,” and “Hard to Love,” among others.

Pearce co-wrote the song with Luke Combs, Jonathan Singleton and Randy Montana, and the track is included on Pearce’s sophomore album, which released on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14).

Lauren Alaina, Rita Wilson, Dennis Quaid Join 2020 Concert For Love And Acceptance

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Lauren Alaina, Lewis Brice, Terri Clark, Billy Gilman, Dennis Quaid, Kalie Shorr, and Rita Wilson have joined the performance lineup for the upcoming online 2020 Concert for Love and Acceptance, which is set for June 30 at 7 p.m. CT. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube, Facebook, and at F4LA.org/concert.

The show already includes Tanya Tucker, who is set to open the show, and Mickey Guyton will make a special appearance, as well as actor, producer, and director Matt Bomer, who will introduce Wilson.

“This show just gets better and better each year, and while we would rather be doing it as a live event in Nashville, we know that we have the opportunity to reach so many more people with our message of love and acceptance through this one-time online format. And, of course, our message takes on an especially elevated meaning this year in light of all that is happening around us. Our hope is that on this night we can all stand together in unity as one,” said host Ty Herndon.

ACM Lifting Lives is a first-time partner in the event this year and will be allocating proceeds to its initiatives. “ACM Lifting Lives is honored to join forces with Ty and the Concert for Love and Acceptance,” said Lyndsay Cruz, Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives. “We’re honored to support the message of creating a more accepting environment and jumped at the opportunity to help inspire awareness, and healing, through the power of music.”

For the third consecutive year, CMT also returns as Presenting Partner of the event, with Cody Alan serving as co-host, a role he’s held for the past four years. Kristin Chenowith also serves as host of the event as well.

“GLAAD is proud to have been Ty Herndon’s partner in this groundbreaking endeavor since 2015, and as we press on through this very difficult moment in the health and safety of our nation, LGBTQ Americans are especially vulnerable – including LGBTQ youth who may be isolating in homes that are not accepting of them. Many of them – and their families – are country music fans, and this event will send affirming messages of support and encouragement around the globe,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD.

Buddy Jewell Travels Down ‘Bluebonnet Highway’ On New Collection

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Buddy Jewell is releasing a new 15-song album, Bluebonnet Highway, on June 26.  The Diamond Dust Records collection includes several originals, as well as remakes of some of Jewell’s hits and covers of some of his favorite songs. The first single from the album will be the heart-tugging “Teardrop in the Gulf of Mexico,” which Jewell wrote with Jerry Salley.

The new album pays tribute to Buddy’s heroes and influences including Waylon Jennings, Ed Bruce, The Band, Tom T. Hall, Buck Owens and Billy Joe Shaver. The project features some lighter moments including the track “Willie Gave Up Weed,” as well as more earthy takes of Jewell’s Top 5 hits “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “Help Pour Out The Rain (Lacey’s Song)” and also “Hillbilly Water” which he co-wrote with Steve Williams and Thom Shepherd.

Jewell began recording vocals on the new album just last month, though most of the songs were tracked prior to the COVID-19 lockdown. Finally wrapping the new project was a great release for the singer following the intensity of the last few months.

“It’s like getting to take that first big breath of fresh air after you been waiting to exhale for so long,” explained Jewell. “Getting to release Bluebonnet Highway has felt like breaking out of a dark, dreary dungeon into bright, beautiful sunlight. The catharsis has been amazing. If I could choose one thing for people to feel when they listen to it, I would want them to feel the joy that I felt during the entire process and the freedom of getting to make this project.”

Bluebonnet Highway Track Listing:
1.  “I’m A Ramblin’ Man”
2.  “Help Pour Out The Rain (Lacey’s Song)”
3.  “Teardrop in the Gulf of Mexico”
4.  “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”
5.  “Truck Driving Man”
6.  “Hero In Harlan”
7.  “Georgia On A Fast Train”
8.  “Sweet Southern Comfort”
9.  “Bluebonnet Highway”
10. “Willie Gave Up Weed”
11. “My First Taste of Texas”
12. “Life Don’t Have To Mean Nothing At All”
13. “Hillbilly Water”
14. “You’re The Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had”
15. “Can’t Stop Now”

Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker, The Highwomen, Brittany Howard Lead Americana Honors & Awards Nominations

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Brandi Carlile, The Highwomen, Tanya Tucker and Brittany Howard are among the leading nominees at the upcoming 19th annual Americana Honors & Awards, set for Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Carlile leads this year’s nominations with five, including a solo nomination for Artist of the Year, as well as four others for her work as a producer and writer on Tanya Tucker’s While I’m Livin’ album, and for her work as part of the group The Highwomen.

Tucker is nominated for Album of the Year (While I’m Livin’), Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year (“Bring My Flowers Now”).

The Highwomen are nominated for Album of the Year, for their self-titled project, produced by Dave Cobb. They are also up for Duo/Group of the Year, as well as Song of the Year (“Crowded Table”).
Howard is nominated for Artist of the Year, as well as Album of the Year for both artist and producer for her project Jaime. Her song “Stay High” is also nominated for Song of the Year.

The late songwriting legend John Prine earns a nomination in the Artist of the Year category, while newcomers Black Pumas earned two nominations for Duo/Group and Emerging Act of the Year. Aubrie Sellers earns two nominations, for Emerging Act of the Year and Song of the Year, for “My Love Will Not Change.” Nathaniel Rateliff earns two nominations, for Album of the Year (And It’s Still Alright), as well as Song of the Year for the album’s title track. Drive-By Truckers also earn two nods, for Duo/Group of the Year, as well as Song of the Year (“Thoughts and Prayers”).
This year’s awards expand the number of nominees in each category from four to five nominees, with the exception of Song of the Year, which totals six nominees this year due to nomination tie.

The awards ceremony typically serves as the highlight of AmericanaFest week. This year, due to COVID-19, in lieu of hosting the annual conference, the Americana Music Association Foundation will launch its first initiative, with details to be revealed in the coming days. Next year’s AmericanaFest dates have been set for Sept. 21-26, 2021.

See the full list of this year’s Americana Honors & Awards nominations below:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
And It’s Still Alright, Nathaniel Rateliff, Produced by James Barone, Patrick Meese and Nathaniel Rateliff
Country Squire, Tyler Childers, Produced by David Ferguson and Sturgill Simpson
The Highwomen, The Highwomen, Produced by Dave Cobb
Jaime, Brittany Howard, Produced by Brittany Howard
While I’m Livin’, Tanya Tucker, Produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings

ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Brandi Carlile
Brittany Howard
John Prine
Tanya Tucker
Yola

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Black Pumas
Drive-By Truckers
The Highwomen
Buddy & Julie Miller
Our Native Daughters

EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR:
Black Pumas
Katie Pruitt
Aubrie Sellers
Billy Strings
Kelsey Waldon

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR:
Ellen Angelico
Annie Clements
Brittany Haas
Zachariah Hickman
Rich Hinman

SONG OF THE YEAR:
“And It’s Still Alright,” Nathaniel Rateliff, Written by Nathaniel Rateliff
“Bring My Flowers Now,” Tanya Tucker, Written by Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth and Tanya Tucker
“Crowded Table,” The Highwomen, Written by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna
“My Love Will Not Change,” Aubrie Sellers featuring Steve Earle, Written by Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp
“Stay High,” Brittany Howard, Written by Brittany Howard
“Thoughts and Prayers,” Drive-By Truckers, Written by Patterson Hood