Luke Combs Ranks No. 1 On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart

Luke Combs earns his fourth MusicRow Challenge Coin of 2020 with “Better Together.” His previous single, “Lovin’ On You” stayed at No. 1 for two weeks in August, and “Does To Me” (feat. Eric Church) graced No. 1 in March. He also received songwriter credit for “I Hope You’re Happy Now” by Carly Pearce and Lee Brice, which rose to No. 1 in January and remained for a second week in February.

“Better Together” was written by Combs, Dan Isbell, and Randy Montana. Montana ranks No. 2 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart while Combs and Isbell rank No. 9 and No. 30 respectively.

In October, Combs made history with his current album release, as the only country artist in Apple Music history to reach No. 1 on Apple Music’s US Albums chart twice. Over the past 12 months, Combs has earned the most streams on Apple Music of any country artist, and his total stream count over the past 12 months is 62% higher than the next biggest country artist.

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Old Dominion Goes ‘Behind The Curtain’ On Some Of Their Songwriting Hits

Old Dominion is releasing a new EP, Band Behind The Curtain, filled with songs penned by members of the band that previously went to No. 1 for other artists. The Sony Music Nashville EP uniquely contains the band’s own studio versions of those hits, and is available now on all major streaming platforms. The EP includes renditions of “Make You Miss Me” (recorded by Sam Hunt) and “Save It For A Rainy Day” (recorded by Kenny Chesney), among others.

In addition, the band takes fans behind the curtain of their songwriting and recording process in an accompanying short film, also available today via Apple Music.

“With songwriting we made the decision to write what we thought was cool and what we were enjoying instead of chasing something,” said Old Dominion front man Matthew Ramsey.

“Once you find a great song, it’ll find its home,” added Trevor Rosen, songwriter and instrumentalist for the group. “But first and foremost, you just gotta try to write a great song.”

The release follows on the heels of the band’s first two Grammy nominations for their song “Some People Do,” from their self-titled third studio album, which is up for “Best Country Song” and “Best Country Duo/Group Performance.” The band also won Vocal Group of the Year at the 2020 CMA Awards, marking their third win in this category since they debuted in 2014.

Morgan Wallen Set For ‘Saturday Night Live’ Debut Performance This Weekend

Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer

Saturday Night Live is giving Morgan Wallen another shot, after the singer was previously disinvited from appearing on the show’s Oct. 10 schedule, with SNL’s producers citing COVID-19 safety concerns.

Wallen, who recently earned the Country Music Association’s New Artist of the Year honor and earned his fourth No. 1 country single, will serve as the musical guest for SNL on Saturday, Dec. 5, hosted by Jason Bateman. The performance marks Wallen’s debut on SNL. Jack White replaced Wallen on SNL back in October, after videos appeared on TikTok, depicting Wallen socializing in Alabama without wearing a mask.

On Oct. 7, Wallen posted a video on Instagram, announcing he would not be taking part in the show. In his video, Wallen clarified that he has not tested positive for COVID-19, but stated that his “actions from this past weekend were pretty short-sighted, and have obviously affected my long-term goals and my dreams.”

Wallen also said in the video, “I respect the show’s decision because I know I put them in jeopardy, and I take ownership for this. I’d like to apologize to SNL, to my fans, to my team for bringing me these opportunities, and I let them down. And on a more personal note, I think I have some growing up to do.”

For his Saturday Night Live appearance this weekend, Wallen will perform two songs from his upcoming album Dangerous: The Double Album, which will release Jan. 8, 2021.

The project broke an Apple Music record earlier this week, becoming the most-added country album in the platform’s history. Wallen is also the first artist to debut two songs inside the Top 10 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart (“Still Goin Down” and “Somebody’s Problem”).

DISClaimer Singles Reviews: The War and Treaty, Waylon Payne, Ray Wylie Hubbard, And More

The War and Treaty. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame

It’s high time we paid heed to the outstanding music that continues to be made by the Americana community.

There’s an embarrassment of riches here—Dianne Davidson, Ruthie Foster, Waylon Payne, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Suzzy Roche & Lucy Wainwright Roche and more.

Towering above them all is The War and Treaty, who has the unchallenged Disc of the Day.

The DisCovery Award goes to Cidny Bullens. Here’s to new beginnings.

DULCIE TAYLOR / “Easy for You”
Writers: Dulcie Taylor/George Nauful; Publisher: Raven in the Window, ASCAP; Producer: George Nauful; Label: Mesa Bluemoon (track); dulcietaylor.com
– This critically acclaimed California troubadour has culled favorites from her seven prior CDs to create Reimagined. The collection remixes, re-records and re-imagines the tunes, starting with this sweet/sad, lilting country rocker. As always, her delivery shimmers like a multi-faceted gemstone.

GREAT PEACOCK / “High Wind”
Writers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Andrew Nelson & Blount FLoyd; Label: Baldwin County (track) / greatpeacock.com
– This Nashville three-piece has been burning up the road for several years, gradually moving from folk to roots-rock. Frontman/guitarist Andrew Nelson hangs just slightly behind the beat in his smooth croon while guitarist/harmony vocalist Blount Floyd and bass player Frank Keith IV kick up some rocking dust. This track from their third CD Forever Worse Better has a Petty-like jangle that’s instantly likable. “I ain’t afraid of dying,” he sings, “I’m afraid of never being alive.” Rock on, bro’s.

THE DILLARDS & DON HENLEY / “Old Road New Again”
Writers: C.J. Watson/Rodney Dillard; Publisher: Mountain Row/Rodney Dillard, ASCAP; Producer: Bil VornDick; Label: Pinecastle
– The anthemic title tune of Rodney Dillard’s latest Dillards outing fuses sprightly bluegrass with country-rock as he and Henley trade lines amid a swirl of banjo, fiddle and bass notes. In addition to Henley, the CD’s guest stars include Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Herb Pedersen, Bernie Leadon and Sharon & Cheryl White.

DIANNE DAVIDSON / “True Believer”
Writers: Dianne Davidson; Publisher: Perigon/Jamb Kitchen, BMI/ASCAP; Producer: Dianne Davidson & Larry Chaney; Label: HWCD (track) / www.diannedavidson.com
– Native Tennessean Davidson was a prodigy who recorded her breakthrough albums while still a teen (Baby in 1971, Backwoods Woman in 1972 and Mountain Mama in 1973). She became a vocalist in Linda Ronstadt’s band and also backed such names as Leon Russell, B.B. King, Jimmy Buffett and Tammy Wynette. She left the music business to become a businesswoman and mom. Perigon: Full Circle is her first new album in more than three decades. Although she covers Bob Dylan (”To Make You Feel My Love”) and Gretchen Peters (”Over Africa”), the collection is dominated by her originals. They prove that her songwriting gift is undimmed. One of many highlights is this soulful, spellbinding outing with flecks of jazz, pop and blues in her delivery. Haunting stuff, as is the whole thang.

THE WAR AND TREATY / “Five More Minutes”
Writers: Michael Trotter Jr.; Publisher: Downtown DLG/Downtown DMP, ASCAP/BMI; Producer: Michael Trotter Jr.; Label: Rounder (track)
– Michael and Tanya Trotter, who perform and record as The War and Treaty, are among Nashville’s finest new gifts to the world. The new CD is titled Hearts Town, and I urge you to buy it. Trust me, you need these two people in your life. This super melodic, old-school soul/pop rouser will lift you out of your chair. If the blasting, brassy horn blasts don’t grab you, the power of their awesome voices will. “Five More Minutes” also has a charming music video. The whole record inspires my deepest heart and soul. Check out the soaring, throbbing “Yearning” or the stately, exquisitely harmonized “Take Me In” for further evidence.

THOMM JUTZ / “The Flood of 2010”
Writers: Thomm Jutz/Jon Weissberger/Charley Stefl; Publisher: Asheville Forest/Thomm Songs/Asheville Music/Use Your Words/Maddy Dog, SESAC/BMI; Producer: Thomm Jutz; Label: Mountain Home (track)
– Jutz picked up a bluegrass Grammy nomination this year. His current project is a two-volume opus titled To Live in Two Worlds. The second volume leads off with this vivid story song about the Nashville flood. If you lived through it, you’ll recognize all the little details in the lyric. If you didn’t, he’ll sing you a newsreel. Jutz is an able if unspectacular vocalist, but his guitar work is stunning, as is the rest of the star-studded backing band. Just as impressive is his mastery of folk and old-time country songwriting.

RAY WYLIE HUBBARD / “Fast Left Hand”
Writers: Ray Wylie Hubbard; Publisher: Snake Farm, SESAC; Producer: Ray Wylie Hubbard; Label: Big Machine (track) / raywylie.com
– I read somewhere that this was one of Spotify’s most listened to songs of 2020. It is drawn from Hubbard’s current CD, titled Co Starring. In this case, the co-stars are The Cadillac Three. They conjure a slow-burn, sultry, minor-key audio atmosphere with enough doom and mood to fuel a voodoo ceremony. The record’s other guests include Pam Tillis, Ringo Starr, Ashley McBryde, Peter Rowan, Ronnie Dunn, Larkin Poe, Joe Walsh and Elizabeth Cook. Ray Wylie rules.

CIDNY BULLENS / “The Gender Line”
Writers: Cidny Bullens; Publisher: Red Dragonfly, BMI; Producer: Ray Kennedy & Cidny Bullens; Label: Blue Lobster (track)
– In this pop/rock ballad, Bullens sings in a sandpapery, folkish fashion about his unique journey while Rodney Crowell offers soft vocal support. “Are you a boy or are you a girl?” he asks as the song draws to a close. You see, this is from Walkin’ Through This World, which is his ninth album, but his first as a transgender man. I was a fan of rocker Cindy Bullens, and this collection sounds like the work of an equally talented fellow. Other guests on the CD include Beth Nielson Chapman, Bill Lloyd and Mary Gauthier. “The Gender Line” is also the title of a movie about this artist by Nashville filmmaker T.J. Parsell which won Best Documentary Short at the Edmonton International Film Festival.

SUZZY ROCHE & LUCY WAINWRIGHT ROCHE / “I Can Still Hear You”
Writers: Lucy Wainwright Roche; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Jordan Hamlin; Label: StorySound (track)
– Suzzy Roche and her recording-artist daughter traveled from New York to Music City to craft their album I Can Still Hear You. The sessions were aborted when the pandemic hit, but everyone persevered from their homes. The record’s title tune begins in an intimate, wistful soprano tone, then builds gentle layers of acoustic strumming and the unusual, lovely harmonies that this quirky, gifted family has always been so good with. The original Roches trio ended with the death of Suzzy’s sister Maggie in 2017, but one of her songs is on the collection, as is the traditional Irish tune “Factory Girl.” In every family configuration, I love these folks.

SUZI RAGSDALE / “Wildflowers”
Writers: Suzi Ragsdale/Sam Frank; Publisher: Ray Stevens Music, BMI; Producer: Sam Frank & Ray Stevens; Label: CabaRay (track)
– This singer-songwriter is the daughter of Ray Stevens, who co-produced her new EP Ghost Town. Its single and music video is this tuneful, shoulder-shaking, soul-groove outing that showcases her resonant, gospel-infused alto. Everything is impressive here, from her warm delivery to the r&b backing voices, gently insistent rhythm, rippling banjo, sighing electric guitars and brilliantly clear mixing.

WAYLON PAYNE / “All the Trouble”
Writers: Waylon Payne/Adam Wright/Lee Ann Womack; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Frank Liddell & Eric Masse; Label: Carnival (track)
– The full album title is Blue Eyes, the Harlot, the Queer, the Pusher & Me. It chronicles Payne’s harrowing journey through drug addiction and recovery, while touching on his status as a gay country-music man. It’s definitely an album to explore. Lee Ann Womack’s recording of this song earned a 2019 Grammy nomination as Best American Roots Song. Payne’s version is lighter and more intimate, with his earnest vocal and deft guitar work up in the mix. He’s not only a superb songwriter, he’s a potent, expressive singer, too.

RUTHIE FOSTER / “Ring of Fire”
Writers: J. Carter Cash; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Denby Auble; Label: Blue Corn Music (track)
– Foster has been a presence in folk, gospel and blues circles for 25 years. Her current collection is in a new mode: The Ruthie Foster Big Band. Recorded live, this ensemble has brought her a 2020 Grammy nomination. Believe me, you’ve never heard “Ring of Fire” in quite this way. The Johnny Cash classic becomes a Memphis soul ballad with horns and guitars adding slow, steamy textures beneath her languid, jazzy delivery. The album’s songwriting credit should have included the name of the song’s co-writer, Merle Kilgore.

NMPA Gold & Platinum Program Announces Top Country Songs And Songwriters For 2019-2020

The NMPA Gold & Platinum Program, which honors the songwriters of RIAA-certified Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum singles, has announced the top country songs and songwriters for the past year. In lieu of the annual Gold & Platinum Gala in Nashville, the honorees were notified and received their awards remotely.

Based on a calculation of streams and sales, the “Platinum Anthem” or most listened to song released in the past year, which went 12x multi-Platinum, was “Old Town Road,” performed by Lil Nas X (Sony/ATV) and Billy Ray Cyrus (Kobalt). The song was written by Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jocelyn Donald (Kobalt), Trent Reznor (Kobalt), Atticus Ross (UMPG) and Kiowa ‘YoungKio’ Roukema (UMPG).

The ”Top Song” or most listened-to song released prior to the past year went to “Tennessee Whiskey,” performed by Chris Stapleton and written by Linda Hargrove (Sony/ATV) and Dean Dillon (UMPG). The song went 6x multi-Platinum with 7 million certified units.

Finally, the “Top Songwriter” award went to perennial hit-maker Ashley Gorley whose hits earned 10 multi-Platinum, 15 Platinum and 13 Gold certifications for songs including “Life Changes,” “Dirt on My Boots,” “T-Shirt,” “Marry Me,” “That’s My Kind of Night,” “Born to Love You,” “Games” and “Living.”

Darius Rucker, Reba, Tim McGraw, And More Support St. Jude’s We Won’t Stop Campaign

Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia LineDarius Rucker and more have stepped up to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital launch its We Won’t Stop campaign.

They join a larger movement of film and television stars, influencers and celebrities who are encouraging fans to make a monthly commitment to St. Jude as a Partner in Hope to receive a We Won’t Stop t-shirt and then snap a photo wearing it using #StJudeWontStop on social media.

Treatments at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened 50 years ago.

Carrie Underwood Collaborates With David Bisbal On Bilingual Track “Tears of Gold”

Carrie Underwood, David Bisbal

With her endlessly versatile voice, Carrie Underwood has collaborated with artists including Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Ludacris, Aerosmith, Michael W. Smith, and Tony Bennett. She starred in the television special The Sound of Music Live!, and recently lent her voice to several classic holiday songs with her first Christmas album, My Gift.

Now, Underwood is notching another career milestone, with her first bi-lingual collaboration, with the duet “Tears of Gold,” with singer David Bisbal. The uptempo pop anthem finds Underwood and Bisbal confronting a fizzling relationship, and features both Underwood and Bisbal singing in English and Spanish.

“Tears of Gold” was penned by Cameron Forbes, Paul Harris and Matt Schwartz, and is slated for Bisbal’s upcoming deluxe album En Tus Planes. Underwood’s holiday special My Gift: A Christmas Special via HBO Max today (Dec. 3).

BREAKING: Radio Disney, Radio Disney Country To Close

 

Disney will cease operations for Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country, beginning in the first quarter of 2021, according to an announcement made Thursday (Dec. 3) by Disney Branded Television President and Chief Creative Officer Gary Marsh. The closures will impact 36 full-time and part-time employees.

The announcement follows the recent structural changes that find Disney Branded Television increasing its focus on producing kids and family content for Disney+ and Disney Channels. Radio Disney in Latin America is a separate operation and is not impacted by the announcement today.

Radio Disney launched in November 1996 as a terrestrial broadcast network; by 2005, Radio Disney was available in 97% of the U.S. via more than 50 terrestrial radio stations and SiriusXM, and had offshoots in the UK, Japan and Latin America. Radio Disney Country launched in 2015 as a digital-only platform, before expanding in 2017 with the launch of two Los Angeles terrestrial stations and increased digital streaming.

Asleep At The Wheel Announce Special Online Christmas Concert December 19th

Asleep At The Wheel is inviting fans to enjoy a ‘Merry Texas Christmas, Y’all!’ with their 90-minute live stream concert on December 19. Bandleader Ray Benson and the band will perform at the ‘Texas North Pole,’ playing fan favorites as well as choice cuts from their three previously-released Christmas albums.

The livestream will begin at 7 p.m. CT on December 19, and post-show, the special will be on-demand streaming for a limited time. One ticket will allow streaming on one device. In addition to tickets, exclusive holiday bundles including VIP Zoom meet and greets with Benson and Katie Shore, Asleep at the Wheel Christmas cards, autographed CDs, tote bags, and more are available.

Earlier this Fall, the band teamed up with Austin City Limits and PBS for ACL Presents: 50 Years of Asleep at the Wheel, a special retrospective of the band’s appearances on the beloved program. From performing on the series’ very first episode to modern-day collaborations with legends like Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett (in total, the band has appeared on eleven episodes), Asleep at the Wheel have woven a 50-year thread through Texas and American music history, and Austin City Limits played quite a part in it.

Soundstripe Inks Deal With Video Creation Platform Waymark

 

Nashville-based media company Soundstripe has inked a deal with video creation platform Waymark, which grants its access to Soundstripe’s Enterprise API. Once integrated, in addition to having the ability to make videos in minutes, Waymark users will have access to Soundstripe’s catalog of music for use in their projects.

“Waymark is a great platform that opens the video advertising door for any company big or small, and we’re excited to add simple music licensing to the mix through our Enterprise API,” said Travis Terrell, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Soundstripe. “Whether they know it or not, every business owner is a creator, bringing new products and services into the world. They may not be video-editing geniuses, but now they don’t have to be to create quality advertising with fantastic music. That’s how we ‘Keep Creators Creating.’”

“We pride ourselves in the high quality of our product. Including easy access to top quality music with flexible music licensing as part of our platform has allowed us to meet new customer needs and do things our competitors can’t,” said Tim Killeen, General Counsel & Special Projects at Waymark. “Soundstripe music is in our video ads for small businesses to use on social media and for large enterprise customers to use on TV and everywhere in between! We look forward to continuing to expand our partnership with Soundstripe and consider that partnership a real strategic advantage.”

Nashville-based Soundstripe launched in 2016 and has issued more than 5 million licenses for tens of thousands of customers in more than 140 countries. The company provides unlimited, royalty-free music, stock video and sound effects for videos, podcasts and other media projects.