MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…)

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This week’s edition of the MusicRow Weekly recaps a major week for Nashville’s songwriting community, with Ella Langley making chart history, the Nashville Songwriter Awards honoring some of the industry’s top songwriters, and several notable career moves across Music City. Click here to see the full edition.

Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has officially broken the record for the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending its 23rd week atop the chart. The milestone moves the song past Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” for the longest-running No. 1 in the chart’s history.

“Choosin’ Texas” also took home Song of the Year at the ninth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, held at the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday (Sept. 22). Presented by NSAI, the ceremony recognized 42 songwriters and industry members for their contributions to songwriting. Riley Green was named Songwriter-Artist of the Year, while Blake Pendergrass received Songwriter of the Year honors. Paul Williams was presented with the President’s Keystone Award, and Don Schlitz’s “The Gambler” received the Legendary Song Award. Vince Gill was honored with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award. The ceremony also featured the peer-voted 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written honors, recognizing 11 songs and their respective writers.

The Grand Ole Opry also welcomed a new member this week, with Neal McCoy invited to join the Opry family during “Opry 100 Honors Charley Pride” on Tuesday night (Sept. 22).

In other industry news, ASCAP has elected Jim Selby to its Board of Directors as a publisher member. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation has also added two new members to its Board of Directors: Don Cook and Jodi Marr.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced two staff promotions, with Luke Wiget moving up to Vice President of Creative and Aaron Helvig becoming Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement. Melody Place has also expanded its digital team, naming Kacey Flory Head of Digital Marketing and Kayla Smith Digital Marketing Coordinator.

The Canadian country music community celebrated its biggest night of the year at the 44th annual CCMA Awards on Sept. 19. Cameron Whitcomb led the night with wins for Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Ford F-150 Album of the Year for The Hard Way. James Barker Band earned Fans’ Choice and Group or Duo of the Year honors for the fourth consecutive year, while Meghan Patrick took home Female Artist of the Year for the third time. Sully Burrows was named Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year, while Nate Haller and Tenille Townes won Musical Collaboration of the Year for “Backfire.” Thelma & James earned Video of the Year for “Parking Lot Prayers,” and Josh Ross secured his third consecutive Single of the Year win for “Hate How You Look.”

The week also brought new publishing signings, with Ava Liv Mabry signing a deal with Reservoir Media and Owen Waidley joining the SMACKSongs roster.

In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Ella Langley takes the No. 1 spot with “Loving Life Again.” Explore more chart data here.

The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.

Madison Hahnen
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