Rewind: MusicRow’s Top Engaging Stories Of 2020
The articles below were some of the most-read stories from MusicRow during 2020. For the first two and a half months of the year, the Nashville music industry’s creative superpower was on full blast until suddenly thwarted in mid-March as the COVID-19 pandemic begin ravaging throughout the world. While some members and companies were forced to shut down, others pivoted to working from home. This year will undoubtedly be defined by the pandemic.
These are the top headlines, excluding obituaries featured separately, that captured the most attention as the Nashville music business, bruised and beat up, persevered onward.
Gov. Lee Requires Tennesseans To Remain At Home
[April 2, 2020] Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is set to sign Executive Order 23, which requires that Tennesseans stay home unless carrying out essential activities. The executive order remains in effect until April 14, 2020 at 11:59 p.m…
John Prine’s “I Remember Everything” Debuts At No. 1
John Prine. Photo: Danny Clinch
[June 23, 2020] The late John Prine‘s last recorded song, “I Remember Everything,” has debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Rock Digital Song Sales Chart, earning the highest-charting single of Prine’s career as a performer…
Lady Antebellum Changes Band Name
[June 11, 2020] Lady Antebellum announced on Thursday (June 11) that going forward, the trio will be dropping the name “Antebellum,” and will be known simply as Lady A…
Kane Brown To Play Halftime Show At Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Game
Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Berinato
[November 25, 2020] Kane Brown is set to headline the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington halftime show on Thanksgiving Day. Kickoff will begin at 4:40 p.m. ET, and the game will air on FOX. The performance is a Cowboys tradition, helping to serve as a call to action for Americans to donate to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign…
ACM Awards To Be Held In Nashville
[April 27, 2020] For the first time in Academy of Country Music Awards history, the show will be held in Nashville. ACM CEO Damon Whiteside made the announcement during a press conference in Nashville on Monday (April 27)…
Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced
Pictured (clockwise from top left): Kent Blazy, Brett James, Steve Earle, Bobbie Gentry, Spooner Oldham
[November 2, 2020] Steve Earle, Bobbie Gentry, Kent Blazy, Brett James and Spooner Oldham have been elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, according to an announcement made today (Nov. 2) by Sarah Cates, chair of the organization’s board of directors…
Nashville Music Business Hangout, The Palm, Facing Eviction
[September 9, 2020] The Palm, a popular hangout among the music business community, is facing eviction from Hilton Nashville Downtown, reports the Nashville Post. The steakhouse is currently situated across the street from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena’s main entrance, where it has been since it opened in 2000…
Loretta Lynn Honored With Statue On Ryman Auditorium Icon Walk
Photo: Kit Wood
[October 21, 2020] A Loretta Lynn statue has been added to the Icon Walk on the grounds of the Ryman Auditorium. Visitors can find the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” statue standing at the northwest corner of the building near the venue’s driveway on Fifth Avenue next to the likeness of Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music…
MusicRow Announces 2020 Rising Women On The Row Honorees
[February 26, 2020] MusicRow is proud to reveal the honorees for its ninth annual Rising Women on the Row celebration. The ceremony will honor six female executives who are making a significant impact on Nashville’s country music industry…
Amy Grant Shares Personal Message About Heart Health
[February 13, 2020] Amy Grant recently shared her personal story regarding the importance of heart health with her fans, in honor of Heart Health Awareness month. In a social media post, the Grammy-winning, Nashville native and fierce music community supporter paid tribute to her doctor, Dr. John Bright Cage…
Carrie Underwood Unveils Track List, Guests For Christmas Album My Gift
Photo: Joseph Llanes
[August 31, 2020] Carrie Underwood welcomed some special guests on her upcoming new Christmas album, My Gift, collaborating with John Legend on the original song “Hallelujah,” and inviting 5-year-old son Isaiah to appear on the holiday classic that inspired the album title, “Little Drummer Boy”…
Florida Georgia Line Leaves Big Loud
Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Robby Klein.
[January 31, 2020] Florida Georgia Line has parted ways with managers Seth England and Kevin “Chief” Zaruk of Big Loud, after nine years. FGL first signed with Big Loud Publishing in 2011 and in 2012, released the breakthrough single “Cruise,” which is now 11x Platinum and the best-selling digital country single of all time…
Kathie Lee Gifford Talks New Movie, Working With Brett James, And New Beginnings [Interview]
Then Came You starring Kathie Lee Gifford Credit: Vertical Entertainment
[September 25, 2020] Television star, actress, singer, and songwriter Kathie Lee Gifford has lent her artistry to a new film, Then Came You. Gifford wrote, produced, and starred in the film, and she wrote the music with Music Row hit-maker Brett James. Film distributor Vertical Entertainment plans a one-night showing of Then Came You nationwide via Fathom Events on Sept. 30, followed by an on-demand and digital release on Oct. 2…
2020 ACM Awards Winners
Maren Morris poses with the Female Artist of the Year award at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards. Photo: John Shearer/ACMA2020/Getty Images for ACM
[September 16, 2020] The 55th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Keith Urban and airing on CBS, marked the first time the awards show aired from Nashville, featuring performances from three iconic venues—the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Bluebird Cafe…
Eric Church, Maren Morris, Luke Combs Lead CMA Awards Winners
Eric Church accepts award for Entertainer of the Year at The 54th Annual CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy CMA
[November 11, 2020] The 54th Annual CMA Awards were celebrated in Nashville tonight, airing live on ABC, and co-hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker…
Longtime Songwriter Hotspot Douglas Corner Closing Permanently
[May 28, 2020] Nashville’s Douglas Corner Cafe, a longtime favorite spot for music lovers and songwriters, will close its doors for good, according to owner Mervin Louque…
Thomas Rhett Inks With Warner Chappell
Thomas Rhett. Photo: John Shearer
[August 12, 2020] Thomas Rhett has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville. The multi-Platinum singer-songwriter was most recently signed to Sony/ATV…
Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Tanya Tucker, Blake Shelton Show Out For All For The Hall
Pictured (L-R, back row): Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Morgan Wallen, John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Chris Stapleton; (L-R, front row): Tanya Tucker, Tenille Townes, Carly Pearce, Ingrid Andress, and Lauren Daigle backstage at All for the Hall: Under the Influence, benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
[February 11, 2020] The seventh annual All For The Hall, benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, sold out Bridgestone Arena last night (Feb. 10). With Keith Urban serving as the host, the show was billed as All For The Hall: Under The Influence, and each special guest played a song of their own and a song that had influenced them. Urban was joined by Tanya Tucker, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Carly Pearce, Morgan Wallen, Tenille Townes, Brothers Osborne, Lauren Daigle, and Ingrid Andress throughout the night.
Morgan Wallen Adds Republic To His Team
Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer
[August 31, 2020] Big Loud Records artist Morgan Wallen has scored a huge streaming hit with his latest, “7 Summers.” Now, Republic Records is partnering with Big Loud to work Wallen’s music, and will start with a radio campaign for “7 Summers”…
32nd Annual MusicRow Awards Winners
[August 18, 2020] MusicRow Magazine revealed the winners of the 32nd annual MusicRow Awards in a series of videos on all MusicRow online platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, starting at 9:00 a.m. today (Aug. 18). The winners for the 32nd annual MusicRow Awards are…
On The Row: Gabby Barrett On Her Journey From American Idol To A Radio Hit
Gabby Barrett with MusicRow Magazine staffers.
[February 11, 2020] Gabby Barrett‘s journey from the American Idol finals to country radio success could be the epitome of the lyrics featured in one of her songs, “Jesus and My Mama”: I don’t break and I don’t bend…
MusicRow Highlights Rising Leaders With 2021 N.B.T. Industry Directory
[December 1, 2020] Rising Nashville music industry leaders have been selected as MusicRow Magazine’s 2021 N.B.T. Industry Directory. Now in its second year, MusicRow’s N.B.T. Industry Directory is the first and only list of its kind, showcasing Nashville music business professionals who occupy important roles at their respective companies, and who are on a trajectory of excellence to successfully lead the Nashville music industry into the future…
Kevin Jonas, Sr. Launches Nashville-based Publishing House Jonas Group Publishing (Exclusive)
Pictured: Kevin Jonas, Sr. (Founder and CEO), Denise Jonas (Founder), Terri Jo Box (Songwriter), Roger Hodges (Artist Manager with Jonas Group Entertainment). Photo: Courtesy of Jonas Group Publishing All photos are Courtesy of Jonas Group Publishing
[September 15, 2020] Jonas Group Entertainment, led by founder/CEO Kevin Jonas, Sr., has opened the Nashville-based publishing division, Jonas Group Publishing, with flagship writer Terri Jo Box.
Hannah Mulholland Exits Runaway June
Pictured: Hannah Mulholland, Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne
[May 14, 2020] Hannah Mulholland has announced her departure from the trio Runaway June. Mulholland, alongside Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne, formed Runaway June in 2015 and signed with BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records…
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Announces Two New Executive Hires
Caldwell, Pender
[May 7, 2020] Sony/ATV has added two new executives to its Nashville office. Cam Caldwell joins as VP, Business Affairs, while Courtney Pender joins as VP, Human Resources…
Ashley Gorley Makes History With 50th No. 1 Song Milestone
Ashley Gorley. Photo: Josh Ulmer
[August 3, 2020] Ashley Gorley has set a new record, as he earns his 50th No. 1 song at country radio with LOCASH‘s “One Big Country Song,” which is at No. 1 this week on Mediabase. With this milestone, Gorley—who is signed to Round Hill Music Publishing—becomes the only songwriter in any genre to earn 50 No. 1 singles in the history of the Mediabase and Billboard Airplay charts…
Luke Combs Inks Publishing Deal With Universal Music Publishing Group
Luke Combs. Photo Courtesy UMPG
[July 8, 2020] Luke Combs has signed an exclusive, global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group…
Nashville Music Venue The Basement East Destroyed By Tornado
[March 3, 2020] Beloved Nashville music venue The Basement East was destroyed early Tuesday morning (March 3) when a tornado ripped through much of Nashville around 1:00 a.m. The tornado caused severe damage in areas of Nashville including East Nashville, Germantown, Donelson and Mt. Juliet…
Gone West Parts Ways
[August 13, 2020] Members of the band Gone West are going separate ways. Colbie Caillat and Justin Young are splitting from bandmates Jason Reeves and Nelly Joy. On Wednesday, Caillat posted the news on Instagram…
Nashville Studio Singer Community Presents “It Is Well With My Soul” With Virtual Cell Phone Choir
[March 26, 2020] Thirty-one of Nashville’s studio singers came together using their cell phones during Nashville’s ‘Safer at Home’ order to record and lift their collective voices to share a message of hope and encouragement with “It Is Well With My Soul”…
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