Dan+Shay, Maren Morris, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs Lead American Music Awards Country Nominees

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The nominees were announced Monday morning (Oct. 26) for this year’s American Music Awards. “I Should Probably Go To Bed” hitmakers Dan+Shay lead the country nominees with three nods, including one in the all-genre Collaboration of the Year category, for “10,000 Hours” with Justin Bieber. The song is also nominated for Favorite Song-Country, which could mark Dan+Shay’s second win in the category, should their names be called during the ceremony.  Dan+Shay are also up for Favorite Duo or Group-Country, which would mark their second win should they take home the honor this year.

Notably, two pop artists are nominated in the Favorite Song-Country category, with Bieber nominated alongside Gwen Stefani, who is featured on Blake Shelton‘s “Nobody But You.”

Luke Combs is nominated for two AMAs, including Favorite Male Artist-Country, and Favorite Album-Country (What You See Is What You Get).

Maren Morris is also nominated twice, for Favorite Female Artist-Country, and for Favorite Song-Country (for “The Bones”).

Shelton is up for Favorite Album-Country (for Fully Loaded: God’s Country) as well as Favorite Song-Country, for his duet with Stefani, “Nobody But You.”

The Favorite Female Artist-Country will have a first-time winner in the category, no matter who takes home the win. This year’s nominees include Morris, Miranda Lambert, and Gabby Barrett. Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift have been the only two winners in the category for the past 13 years. Underwood has won the category for the past six years (plus a win back in 2007). Taylor Swift took home the honor for six years (2008-2013).

Old Dominion is also nominated in the Favorite Duo or Group Category-Country; a win would mark their first AMA award ever. Meanwhile, a win for fellow category nominees Florida Georgia Line would mark the the fifth time they’ve earned the honor.

Lauren Daigle is up for her fourth possible win in the Favorite Artist-Contemporary Inspirational category. Daigle has earned the title for the past three consecutive years. It would mark the first win for fellow category nominees for King & Country and Kanye West.

This year’s AMAs will air Sunday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Voting is open now.

See the full list of American Music Awards nominees below:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justin Bieber
Post Malone
Roddy Ricch
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lewis Capaldi
Doja Cat
DaBaby
Lil Baby
Roddy Ricch
Megan Thee Stallion

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion “WAP”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch “Rockstar”
Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber “10,000 Hours”
Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande “Rain On Me”
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé “Savage Remix”

FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST
BTS
Billie Eilish
EXO
Ariana Grande
NCT 127

FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
Doja Cat “Say So”
Future ft. Drake “Life Is Good”
Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande “Rain On Me”
Taylor Swift “cardigan”
The Weeknd “Blinding Lights”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Justin Bieber
Post Malone
The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Dua Lipa
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
BTS
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
Harry Styles “Fine Line”
Taylor Swift “folklore”
The Weeknd “After Hours”

FAVORITE SONG –  POP/ROCK
Lewis Capaldi “Someone You Loved”
Dua Lipa “Don’t Start Now”
Post Malone “Circles”
Roddy Ricch “The Box”
The Weeknd “Blinding Lights”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
Luke Combs “What You See Is What You Get”
Blake Shelton “Fully Loaded: God’s Country”
Morgan Wallen “If I Know Me”

FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY
Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber “10,000 Hours”
Maren Morris “The Bones”
Blake Shelton (Duet with Gwen Stefani) “Nobody But You”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
DaBaby
Juice WRLD
Roddy Ricch

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
Cardi B
Nicki Minaj
Megan Thee Stallion

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
Lil Baby “My Turn”
Lil Uzi Vert “Eternal Atake”
Roddy Ricch “Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial”

FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion “WAP”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch “Rockstar”
Roddy Ricch “The Box”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Chris Brown
John Legend
The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Jhene Aiko
Doja Cat
Summer Walker

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
Doja Cat “Hot Pink”
Summer Walker “Over It”
The Weeknd “After Hours”

FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B
Chris Brown ft. Drake “No Guidance”
Summer Walker “Playing Games”
The Weeknd “Heartless”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – LATIN
Bad Bunny
J Balvin
Ozuna

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – LATIN
Becky G
KAROL G
Rosalía

FAVORITE ALBUM – LATIN
Anuel AA ”Emmanuel”
Bad Bunny “Las que no iban a salir”
Bad Bunny “YHLQMDLG”

FAVORITE SONG – LATIN
Bad Bunny “Vete”
Black Eyed Peas X J Balvin “RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)”
KAROL G & Nicki Minaj “Tusa”

FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Billie Eilish
Tame Impala
twenty one pilots

FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Lewis Capaldi
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5

FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Lauren Daigle
for KING & COUNTRY
Kanye West

FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
Kygo
Lady Gaga
Marshmello

FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK
Birds of Prey: The Album
Frozen II
Trolls: World Tour

“Mr. Bojangles” Creator Jerry Jeff Walker Dies

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Jerry Jeff Walker. Photo: jerryjeffwalker.com

Texas music legend Jerry Jeff Walker died on Friday, Oct. 23 following a three-year battle with throat cancer.

Walker, 78, is best known for writing the classic story song “Mr. Bojangles.” He was one of the founding figures of the Austin, Texas “outlaw” country scene, a top showman and the host of the TNN television series The Texas Connection.

He was born Ronald Clyde Crosby in Oneonta, New York, in 1942 and performed in a number of local teen combos in the 1950s. After going AWOL from the National Guard, he became a folk troubadour, traveling to Florida, Louisiana and Texas.

In 1965, he was arrested for public intoxication in New Orleans and spent the night in a drunk tank with an itinerant street performer named “Bojangles.” While performing in Washington, D.C. the following year, the musician changed his name to Jerry Jeff Walker.

Relocating to New York City, he formed the house band at the Electric Circus nightclub. Dubbed Circus Maximus, the band recorded two albums for Vanguard Records in 1966-67.

After the band’s demise, Walker resumed working in the Greenwich Village folk scene. He fashioned a song based on Bojangles and used it as the title tune of his 1968 solo debut LP. Walker introduced “Mr. Bojangles” at the Newport Folk Festival, and the song became a minor pop chart entry for him that summer. In 1970, the song became the first top-10 hit of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. That version is now in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

“Mr. Bojangles” has gone on to become one of the most recorded titles in the BMI repertoire. Among its hundreds of versions are those by Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, John Denver, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Frankie Laine, Johnny Paycheck, Bobbie Gentry, Tom T. Hall, Harry Nilsson, Sammi Smith, Nancy Wilson and Walker’s Newport Folk Festival cohort David Bromberg. It was a key feature of Sammy Davis Jr.’s nightclub act for decades.

Jerry Jeff Walker took Jimmy Buffett to Key West in 1970. They co-wrote “Railroad Lady,” which later became a Lefty Frizzell country single. Buffett remained in Florida.

In 1971, Walker moved to Austin. He and his Lost Gonzo Band became mainstays of the movement variously described as “alternative country,” “outlaw country” and “progressive country.” Their freewheeling, rollicking shows became wildly popular.

Jerry Jeff Walker became a songwriting connoisseur. He popularized such Texas classics as Ray Wiley Hubbard’s “Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother,” Billy Joe Shaver’s “Old Five and Dimers Like Me,” Guy Clark’s “L.A. Freeway” and “Desperados Waiting for a Train,” Jesse Winchester’s “Mississippi You’re on My Mind,” Willie Nelson’s “Pick Up the Tempo,” Gary P. Nunn’s “London Homesick Blues (Home with the Armadillo),” Michael Martin Murphy’s “Backsliders Wine” and Rusty Weir’s “Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance.”

Following three LPs for Atco, he signed with MCA Records in 1972. Viva Terlingua was issued the following year. Regarded as a classic, the album earned a Gold record and became his biggest seller. He issued 10 other collections on MCA before forming his own Tried and True imprint in 1986.

Following in the footsteps of Nashville’s John Prine, Jerry Jeff Walker became a model of do-it-yourself career success. He maintained a fan base of 50,000, communicating via regular newsletters, annual record releases and enthusiastic tours.

His partner in the business was his wife. Walker had married Susan Streit in 1974 and given up his hard-partying vices in 1978. She became his manager and booking agent. Merchandise, tour promotion and publicity were also handled in-house.

Live at Gruene Hall (1989), Navajo Rug (1990), Hill Country Rain (1992), Cowboy Boots & Bathin’ Suits (1998) and many more releases polished his reputation as a record maker. Walker also continued to write, with “Sangria Wine,” “Gettin’ By,” “Gypsy Songman,” “Hairy Ass Hillbillies,” “Pissin’ in the Wind,” “Hill Country Rain” and “Leavin’ Texas” becoming particular audience favorites. He also wrote a tribute to an enduring baseball legend, “Nolan Ryan.”

In 1991, he began hosting the series The Texas Connection on TNN. The show continued for a second season in 1992.

Walker presided at annual fan-club gatherings coinciding with his birthday in March and Labor Day in September. In 1999, he published his autobiography, Gypsy Songman: A Life in Music.

By then, Jerry Jeff Walker had become a musical inspiration for a generation of younger troubadours such as Nanci Griffith, Townes Van Zandt, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snider and Jack Ingram. During his career, he released more than 40 albums, including live recordings and compilations.

He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017. Walker donated his career’s archive to Texas State University. His final album appeared in 2018.

Jerry Jeff Walker is survived by wife Susan, daughter Jessie Jane McCarty, son Django Walker, two grandchildren and a sister. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Session Guitar Great J.T. Corenflos Dies

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Top Nashville session musician J.T. Corenflos has died of cancer at age 56.

The guitarist can be heard on the records of such contemporary country hit makers as Eric Church, Chris Janson, Kenny Chesney, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Dustin Lynch, Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Lee Brice, Josh Turner, Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Dierks Bentey and Jon Pardi.

Jerry Corenflos, known as “J.T.,” was born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana. He performed in local bands throughout the 1970s and moved to Nashville in 1982. His initial jobs were in the bands of Jean Shepard and Joe Stampley. On the Nashville club scene, he played in The Blue Tick Hounds backing singer-songwriter David Lee Murphy. He has continued to work with Murphy periodically.

In 1990, Corenflos decided to concentrate on studio work. His performances as a guitarist on publishers’ song demos led to being hired for master sessions beginning in 1993.

Generally hired for his electric-guitar prowess, he played on sessions for Tanya Tucker, Rodney Crowell, Big & Rich, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Joe Diffie, Toby Keith, Easton Corbin, John Anderson, Billy Currington, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Aaron Tippin and Sara Evans, among many others.

Corenflos has backed such Country Music Hall of Fame members as George Jones, Alabama, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Alan Jackson and Dolly Parton. Among the pop and rock acts he has recorded with as Bob Seger, Jose Feliciano, Kelly Clarkson, Richard Marx, The Doobie Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Don Henley, Paul Carrack, Cliff Richard and Dobie Gray.

In 2013, the Academy of Country Music named him its Guitar Player of the Year. Corenflos was also regularly cited as one of Nashville’s top session musicians.

J.T. Corenflos issued his solo album in 2015, Somewhere Under the Radar.

His death was announced on social media on Saturday, Oct. 24. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Luke Combs Is The Only Country Artist To Reach No. 1 On Apple Music’s US Albums Chart Twice [Exclusive]

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Luke Combs. Photo courtesy UMPG

Luke Combs has made history yet again 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.

In November 2019, Combs first hit the chart pinnacle with What You See Is What You Get. Today, he reached the chart pinnacle a second time with his deluxe version of the album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get, which extends the previous project with five new tracks.

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.

In addition to reaching No. 1 on the album chart, all five of his new songs have entered the Top 100 songs, with “Forever After All” reaching No. 1.  Combs’s five new songs also occupy five of the top six songs on the iTunes Songs chart led by “Forever After All” at No. 1. With three of the songs from the original album also in the Top 100 right now, Combs currently has eight songs in the Top 100 on the Apple Music Songs chart.

“Luke Combs is the perfect example of an artist who has really embraced streaming in a way that both super serves his extremely loyal fans and opens his music up for discovery to new fans all over the world,” says Apple Music’s Jay Liepis. “He’s climbing charts and breaking records all over Apple Music and it’s really amazing and exciting to watch his success.

In addition to his record-breaking music, Combs has continued connecting with fans via his recently-launched Bootleggers Radio on the Apple Music Country live-streaming radio station.

Mitchell Tenpenny Releases ‘Neon Christmas’ EP Today

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Riser House/Columbia Nashville artist Mitchell Tenpenny is getting into the holiday spirit early, releasing his EP, Neon Christmas, today (Oct. 23).

The seven-track EP was produced by Lindsay Rimes and Jordan Schmidt, and includes three original songs, “Snow Angels,” “Naughty List,” and the EP’s title track, which Tenpenny co-wrote with Rimes and Matt Rogers. Holiday classics fill out the rest of the project, including his rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

“That’s always been one of my favorite songs,” Tenpenny says. “It just makes me feel like sitting in front of a fire or watching an old Christmas movie at my family’s house. I knew I could take and make that song more of my own too, which can be hard with Christmas songs.”

Neon Christmas Track Listing:
1.) O Holy Night**
2.) Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow*
3.) Snow Angels**/ written by Mitchell Tenpenny, Ernest Keith Smith, Rafe Tenpenny
4.) Neon Christmas**/ written by Tenpenny, Lindsay Rimes, Matt Rogers
5.) Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas*
6.) Joy To The World**
7.) The Naughty List*/ written by Mitchell Tenpenny, Andy Albert, Jordan Schmidt
* produced by Jordan Schmidt
** produced by Lindsay Rimes

Industry Ink: Matt Stell, Tauren Wells, Music Row Build, Luke Combs

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Matt Stell Brings Some Sunshine To Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Patients

Top row (L-R): Matt Stell, Mamie Shepherd, Program Manager at Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Cayce Long, Media Support Specialist at Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Bottom Row: Maddie

Matt Stell recently made a virtual visit with patients at Nashville’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt via Seacrest Studios, where he offered special rendition of “Prayed For You” for a young girl named Maddie. Stell’s “Everywhere But You” is No. 4 and rising on the Mediabase Country chart and No. 3 on Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart.

 

Tauren Wells Debuts New Inspirational Podcast

A brand new podcast, The High Note with Tauren Wells, is debuting today (Oct. 23) from the Educational Media Foundation’s steadily growing library of faith-based podcasts. A thought-provoking, inspiring, and actionable podcast, Wells aims to bring insight and inspiration around cultural, faith oriented, and life-focused issues as he converses with special guests in each episode. Wells engages the audience’s questions during his Sound Off segment, and welcomes experts during a Life Hack, with tips and info on a wide array of topics mental health, fitness, food, tech and more.

Wells is currently at No. 6 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart with “Famous For (I Believe)” featuring Jenn Johnson.

 

Music Row Build Returns Seeking Volunteers

The Music Row Build is back, and is seeking volunteers for Sunday, Oct. 25, Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1.  Construction on the home continues this weekend, with full PPE available on site: hand sanitizer, hand washing stations, new gloves, safety glasses, new hard hats, and more. Breakfast and lunch are provided. For more information, email Poppy Lee at plee@habitatnashville.org,

 

Luke Combs Visits Bobby Bones

Bobby Bones and Luke Combs.

Luke Combs made an appearance on The Bobby Bones Show this morning to chat with Bones about Combs’s latest album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get, which releases today (Oct. 23).

Dustin Lynch Plans Vegas Pool Bash For 2021

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Photo Credit: Connor Dwyer

Dustin Lynch is planning on making up for being shut in for most of 2020 with the ultimate party of the summer in 2021, the Dustin Lynch Pool Situation: Vegas on June 3-6, 2021. The weekend event in Sin City will feature a headline performance by Lynch, alongside guest artists Jordan Davis and HARDY, in addition to DJ sets from Brandi Cyrus.

“It’s been a goal of mine for a long time to create a one-of-a-kind weekend experience for fans to be a part of and the Pool Situation is just that,” said Lynch. “Vegas is one of the greatest party cities in the world and I can’t think of a better place to launch this event. Get ready for a weekend of unforgettable music, hangs, and partying. Summer 2021 can’t come soon enough!”

All event ticket packages include hotel accommodations and are on sale now and include specialty parties curated by Lynch and named after his songs,“Where It’s At” Welcome Party, “Cowboys & Angels” Day Party, “Hell of a Night” Concert, and “The Last Lap” Closing Party.

Lynch takes the stage next (virtuall) at the 2020 iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One. Performing his current hit, “Momma’s House,” and more, fans can watch the livestream tonight (Oct. 23) at 7 p.m. CT.

Ross Cooper Signs With UTA For Booking

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Pro bronc rider-turned-country singer Ross Cooper has signed with UTA for booking representation, aligning with agents Cass Scripps and Kaleb Tooker.

Today, Cooper releases the new song, “South of the Angels,” penned by Cooper alongside Billy McClaren. He is set to release a new studio album, Chasing Old Highs, on Feb. 26, 2021.

“People from where we’re from seem to have a certain way of talking and acting, even walking,” Cooper says of his Lubbock, TX hometown. “People back home are tough as nails. They have to be, because it’s not the easiest place to live. This song is one of my favorites.”

Cooper released his debut project, Give It Time, in 2014, and followed with 2018’s I Rode Wild Horses. The upcoming album was produced by Oscar Charles and features musicians including Rob McNelley (Bob Seger) and Jeremy Fetzer (Duane Eddy, Steelism).

Kip Moore To Perform At Grimey’s In Support Of Record Store Day

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Kip Moore is supporting independent record stores with a special live performance celebrating Record Store Day this weekend. Kip Moore: Live At Grimey’s Nashville will air this Saturday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. CT on Record Store Day’s Facebook, Moore’s YouTube and Facebook platforms. Independent stores across the country will be also be broadcasting the performance.

Performing new takes on tracks from his album Wild World, Moore’s set spotlights much-beloved independent Nashville record store Grimey’s, and joins Record Store Day’s campaign to raise awareness and highlight the importance of locally-owned stores around the world.

“There is nothing like that feeling of going to your local record store and hand-picking out vinyls for your collection,” shared Moore. “It’s really important that we preserve the local independent record stores in our communities and Record Store Day is a really great way to help continue to raise awareness, even more so during these times. Grimey’s is a Nashville staple and to get to perform some songs from the new record there is something I’m looking forward to sharing.”

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville Signs Duo After Midtown

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Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville has signed duo After Midtown (which includes singer-songwriters Adam Ernst and Michael Rotundo) to a global publishing agreement.

The duo releases their debut single “Boys Like Us” today, and are readying their first EP. They are managed by a strategic partnership between The Core Ent’s Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Simon Tikhman, and 10th Street Ent’s Scott Frazier and Chris Nilsson.

“Finding an atmosphere where our creativity is understood and appreciated was important to us,” After Midtown said, “and we know we found that with Rusty and Anna at Sony/ATV. We feel blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing team all the way around.”

Sony/ATV Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston said, “Adam and Michael have a way of weaving their broad influences into a country/alternative rock gumbo that results into infectious, sing-a-long choruses with all the heart of what makes country music so special. On behalf of all of us at Sony/ATV, we are fired up to welcome After Midtown to the team, and we look forward to spreading the gospel music.”

Pictured (L-R): Rusty Gaston; Sony/ATV; Scott Frazier, 10th Street; Nick Ferrara, attorney; Chief Zaruk, the Core; Adam Ernst; Michael Rotundo; Anna Weisband, Sony/ATV; Simon Tikhman, the Core.