CMA Touring Awards Honors Giants In Live Music

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Members of Chris Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show Tour” Crew takes home the inaugural Crew of the Year award, the night’s highest honor, at the CMA Touring Awards. Photo: John Russell/CMA

The Country Music Association held its annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday night (Feb. 12) at Marathon Music Works in Nashville. Hosted by Keith Urban, the evening celebrated the top touring professionals in country music.

Awards in 20 categories were handed out as the room full of industry members looked on. CMA executives shared that the touring sector is the largest category of CMA membership, so there were a lot of celebrations to be had.

Keith Urban hosts the CMA Touring Awards. Photo: John Russell/CMA

Artists such Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson and members of Old Dominion all came out to support their nominated crews. Stapleton’s crew showed up and showed out, with five members of his camp receiving awards.

Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show Tour” also took home the night’s highest honor, Crew of the Year. The brand new award recognizes the crew that has exemplified outstanding professionalism, skills, teamwork, hospitality, innovation and excellence in all aspects of their work while demonstrating the most heart and spirit on the road and making the biggest overall contribution to elevating country music.

After humbly cheering his crew on from the audience, Stapleton shared a few words of thanks to them when they were given the honor.

“I don’t particularly love crowds, if you can believe that or not,” Stapleton shared. “I like them to come to the show, but I like to play music. That’s what I like to do. Everybody up here helps me do that every night in ways that would not be possible in any way, shape or form if everybody wasn’t at the top of their game.

“I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for letting me play music, which is what I love to do.”

The late Ron Baird honored with the 2023 CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award. CAA’s Marc Dennis accepts on his behalf. Photo: John Russell/CMA

Later in the night, the late Ron Baird, former Agent and Head of CAA’s Nashville office, was posthumously honored with the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award. Agent and Co-Head of CAA’s Nashville office Marc Dennis, who is also Baird’s stepson, accepted the honor on his behalf.

The award is given to an individual who has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of touring throughout the years. It honors an individual that has proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on country music fans and the industry alike, and whose presence will have a long-term positive impact on the genre and CMA for generations to come. Baird is one of only six people to have ever received this award.

To honor Baird, a video was played to share a bit about his impact on the music industry, with cameos from Clint Black, Rob Light, John Huie, Rod Essig, Ed Benson, Keith Miller, Martina McBride and Shania Twain.

When Dennis spoke, he mentioned the people that Baird would have thanked, and talked about the wisdom he was known for sharing.

“I think his lasting legacy will be the people he encouraged to get into our business,” Dennis said. “It was hard to figure out how to break into our business [back then.] Ron was incredibly generous with his time.”

Additionally, during the ceremony, CMA unveiled its new Touring Mentorship Program. The program, intended for early-career touring professionals, was designed by industry veterans who recognize the importance of equipping and supporting the next generation. The Touring Mentorship Program will cover seven key roles in the touring industry: Tour Manager, Band Leader/Musician, Production Manager, Production Assistant, Front of House Engineer, Monitor Engineer and Lighting Director/Designer. As part of the six-month program, participants will engage in monthly mentor and mentee meetings and gain access to opportunities for shadowing and projects in the field.

The crowned winners at the CMA Touring Awards were determined by current professional voting members of CMA in the Affiliated, Artist, Composer, Entertainment Services, Musician, Personal Manager, Record Company, Talent Agent, Advertising/Marketing/Communications, Venue, Talent Buyer/Promoter and Touring Personnel categories. Nominees were based on shows originating between Oct. 1, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2023.

2023 CMA Touring Awards Winners:

CATEGORY 1 – CREW OF THE YEAR
“All-American Road Show Tour” Crew – Chris Stapleton

CATEGORY 2 – BACKLINE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
Joel “Tico” Jimenez – Thomas Rhett

CATEGORY 3 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Duane Clark – Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy

CATEGORY 4 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Erin Siegfried – Lainey Wilson

CATEGORY 5 – FOH (FRONT OF HOUSE) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Arpad Sayko – Chris Stapleton

CATEGORY 6 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Mac Mosier – Chris Stapleton

CATEGORY 7 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Mandelyn Monchick – Red Light Management

CATEGORY 8 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Bryan “Opie” Baxley – Kenny Chesney

CATEGORY 9 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
John Garriott – Chris Stapleton

CATEGORY 10 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Tyne Parrish – The GreenRoom PR

CATEGORY 11 – STAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Todd Green – Chris Stapleton

CATEGORY 12 – SUPPORT SERVICES COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Clair Global – Nashville, TN

CATEGORY 13 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Jay Williams – WME

CATEGORY 14 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Louis Messina – The Messina Group

CATEGORY 15 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Meg Miller – Lainey Wilson

CATEGORY 16 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Paul Franklin – Chris Stapleton/Vince Gill – Steel Guitar

CATEGORY 17 – TOUR VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
CeCe Dawson – Lainey Wilson

CATEGORY 18 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Chris Jones – Jelly Roll

CATEGORY 19 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO

CATEGORY 20 – UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR
Kelsey Maynard – Old Dominion – Assistant Tour Manager

Ashley Gorley Notches Third Consecutive Week At No. 1 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley. Photo: Katie Kauss

For the third consecutive week, Ashley Gorley has claimed the No. 1 spot in MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart. His co-penned songs “All I Need Is You,” “Last Night,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “Truck Bed,” “World On Fire” and “Young Love & Saturday Nights” continue to push Gorley to the top.

“Hey Driver,” “I Remember Everything” and “Sarah’s Place” help Zach Bryan remain in the No. 2 spot. Randy Montana continues to hold on to the No. 3 spot with “Different ‘Round Here,” “This Is My Dirt” and “Where The Wild Things Are.”

Chayce Beckham (No. 4) and Chris Stapleton (No. 5) round out the top five this week.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download 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.

Are You InCharge? Applications For MusicRow’s 2024 InCharge Print Directory Now Open

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MusicRow is currently accepting applications for its annual InCharge print issue, the published directory of Nashville’s music industry decision makers. Now in its 37th year, InCharge is slated for an April release.

Applications for InCharge 2024 have closed. All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee to determine the candidates chosen for this year’s issue.

Note: Executives listed last year will be receiving an email from MusicRow to invite them to apply for this year’s consideration.

For advertising opportunities, please contact Sherod Robertson at [email protected].

For questions regarding the directory, please contact LB Cantrell at [email protected].

Luke Combs’ ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ Notches Sixth Week Atop MusicRow Chart

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Luke Combs extends his run at No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, as “Where The Wild Things Are” notches its sixth consecutive week at the top.

The song, written by Randy Montana and Dave Turnbull, appears on Combs’ Gettin’ Old album.

Combs recently had the performance of the night at the 66th annual Grammy Awards when he and Tracy Chapman performed her hit “Fast Car.” The collaboration was lauded by fans and critics alike.

“Where The Wild Things Are” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 5 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dan + Shay Deliver ‘Delicate, Pristine Production’

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Dan + Shay. Photo: Robby Klein

This is an all-male edition of DISClaimer.

Every other contender here is a Black country stylist. One of them, Scoot Teasley, is our DISCovery Award winner. I don’t know much about him. I think he’s from Georgia, and he looks very young. I do know I’d sign him in a heartbeat.

As for our White guys, there’s no question but that Dan + Shay are this week’s Disc of the Day prize winners.

KEITH URBAN/ “Straight Line”
Writers: Keith Urban/Chase McGill/Jerry Flowers/Greg Wells; Producers: Keith Urban/Greg Wells; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– This zippy rocker puts pedal to the metal on an open-highway “road” song. Packed with positivity and frothing energy. It ain’t all that “country,” but it sure is fun.

BLANCO BROWN/ “Sunshine Shine”
Writer: Bennie Amey III; Producer: Blanco Brown; Label: Wheelhouse Records/BMG
– Brown is probably the best at fusing hip-hop with country. Probably because he can actually sing. This dancefloor ditty in praise of moonshine has cool hand claps, sampled bass loops, electronic blips and a pleasant, repeated, mellow hook. I remain a fan.

DAN + SHAY/ “Bigger Houses”
Writers: Dan Smyers/Andy Albert/Jordan Minton/Jordan Reynolds; Producers: Dan Smyers/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– The title to the duo’s new album has a classic-country sentiment: Money can’t buy happiness. The delicate, pristine production laced with acoustic guitar supports a softly sincere Shay Mooney lead vocal with a gentle Dan Smyers baritone harmony. A gorgeous little record.

THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN/ “Leave Right Now”
Writers: Brandon Campbell/Derek Campbell/JD Walker/Nicholas Autry; Producers: JD Walker/Nicholas Autry; Label: KG
– These twin brothers normally inhabit the dance floor, but on their new single they adopt a slow, sensuous groove. The production starts off kind of spare and cheeesy sounding, then adds layers of percussion and vocal harmonies to achieve a romantic, dim-the-lights jam. Seductive.

CHRIS YOUNG/ “Double Down”
Writers: Derek George/Monty Criswell/Tyler Reeve; Producer: Chris Young; Label: RCA Records Label Nashville
– It’s a barroom stomper with twang guitar and thumping percussion in praise of getting it on by drinking doubles and painting the town neon-red.

WILLIE JONES/ “Omg”
Writers: Will Adams; Producer: Willie Jones; Label: The Penthouse
– The single remains “Dive Bar,” but just in time for Super Bowl LVIII Jones drops his relaxed version of halftime-show performer Usher’s 2010 oldie “Omg.” Jones is in his third year hosting his Apple Music series “The Cross Road Radio Show.” These programs illustrate how country and hip-hop intertwine.

LUKE GRIMES/ “God And A Girl”
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Dillon James/Jason Nix; Producers: Dave Cobb; Label: Mercury/Range/UMG Nashville
– The Yellowstone star has repeatedly proved that he’s a for-real country artist. This new track throws a spotlight on his resonant baritone voice. It’s a slo-o-o-o-ow romantic ballad that could use a little more waltz-time lilt and a little less plodding.

CARLOS WASHINGTON’S STEEL HORSE SWING/ “Party On Piedra Lumbre’
Writers: Carlos A Washington; Producer: Ernie Martinez; Label: CW
– Not to be confused with the Atlanta Falcons running back, this Carlos Washington is a  western-swing cowboy revivalist, following in the footsteps of Bob Wills, Hank Thompson and Asleep at the Wheel. This track has a solid groove, punctuated by horn blasts, sizzling steel and jazzy fiddle. Washington’s confident vocal delivery is totally in the pocket. The rancher and former rodeo bull rider has recently signed with Nashville’s Flaming Tortuga label and is preparing new sounds for the second quarter of ‘24.

WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/ “Not Letting Go”
Writers: William Michael Morgan/Dan Huston/Sam Banks; Producer: Keith Stegall; Label: ONErpm
– This neo-traditionalist has a honky-tonk delivery to die for. The ballad is also bolstered by a flawless, tasteful, eloquent, steel-embellished production by Stegall. This is country music the way it was meant to be performed.

SCOOT TEASLEY/ “This Truck Still Misses You”
Writers: Scoot Teasley/Mason Thornley/Jon Stark; Producer: Chris Utley; Label: STM/Hollow Point Music Group
– This pulses with throbbing heartache energy. It also announces the birth of a major new country stylist. Teasley’s throaty, range-y vocal is stunning. The rocking production brims with excitement. Who is this guy, and where has he been all of our lives?

TYLER BRADEN/ “Devil You Know”
Writers: Sam Martinez/Graham Barham/Zack Dyer/Jon Robert Hall; Producer: Sam Martinez; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This fiery country rocker advises us to stand up for ourselves. Don’t back down, and don’t mistake kindness for weakness. The rock track screams with guitars and chanted backing vocals.

Kelsea Ballerini Renews With Black River Entertainment

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Pictured (L-R): Sandbox Entertainment Group’s Jason Owen; Kelsea Ballerini; and Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr and Rick Froio. Photo: Robby Klein

Over a decade since the independent label launched her career in 2013, Kelsea Ballerini has renewed her recording contract with Black River Entertainment.

Since signing with the company, Ballerini has notched seven No. 1 singles, earned 32 RIAA certifications, logged five back-to-back top 10 entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

“It is with great pleasure and true excitement that Black River continues to partner with Kelsea as well as Jason Owen,” saya Black River Entertainment’s President and CEO Gordon Kerr. “I find myself constantly blown away by Kelsea’s artistic vision and musical excellence. And to know Jason as my friend and brother in music is nothing short of humbling and electrifying all at the same time. What a team we make, what history we write, what a story we tell!”

“Over the past few years, Gordon has become a dear friend to me and he and the Black River team remain the best partners to Kelsea and Sandbox for so many reasons,” says Owen, Sandbox Entertainment Group Founder and CEO. “Black River isn’t afraid to take risks, always leaning in with us on ideas that challenge the status quo, including with this groundbreaking recording agreement that rightfully honors Kelsea’s art and her impact in the marketplace.”

Ballerini, a two-time ACM Award and CMA Award winner, has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, including at the most recent ceremony where she was nominated for Best Country Album with her blockbuster Rolling Up The Welcome Mat project. The release of her deeply personal album and accompanying short film in 2023 led Ballerini to her Saturday Night Live debut, universal acclaim from critics and the honor of gracing the cover of TIME Magazine’s TIME100 Next issue.

The star shares, “Black River has always handled my music with the utmost care since signing with them over a decade ago. They’ve never wavered in respecting my vision as an artist, offering me the freedom to be creative and push boundaries. We share our wins and successes like a family, and our renewed agreement reflects just that.”

NSAI Elects New President & VP As Steve Bogard Ends Tenure In Leadership

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Lee Thomas Miller & Jenn Schott

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) recently concluded its Board of Director elections and selected its leadership for the coming year. Steve Bogard, the longest-serving President in the organization’s history, has decided not to seek another term in leadership, but will continue to serve on NSAI’s Board of Directors.

Lee Thomas Miller has been elected by the Board of Directors to serve as the organization’s President, and Jenn Schott has been elected Vice President.

Steve Bogard

“Steve Bogard led NSAI through complicated trials where we sought higher streaming rates, the Music Modernization Act, and many challenges as we sought to improve compensation for American Songwriters,” shares NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. “Every songwriter in the United States owes him a handshake and thank you for his work and the thousands of hours he sacrificed.”

Herbison adds, “We are also glad to welcome Lee Thomas Miller who has served as President previously and is a proven, effective advocate. And Jenn Schott who will serve as NSAI Vice President after years of experience on our board and Executive Committee.”

Additionally, Trannie Anderson will join the NSAI Board for her first term. 10 current board members have been re-elected to two-year terms, including Bogard, Schott, Chris DeStefano, J.T. Harding, Byron Hill, Josh Kear, Jamie Moore, Jon Nite, Liz Rose and Emily Shackelton.

Roger Brown was re-appointed to a one-year term as Legislative Chair. Rhett Akins and Caitlyn Smith were re-appointed to one-year terms in the Artist-Writer board positions. Brett James was re-appointed to a one-year term in the Industry Liaison position.

All join existing board members Miller, Kelly Archer, Sarah Buxton, David Hodges, Jessie Jo Dillon, Tim Nichols, Josh Osborne, Rivers Rutherford, Anthony L. Smith, Troy Verges and Parker Welling, whose terms will expire in 2025.

NSAI Board elections happen in two phases and include voting by the NSAI Professional Songwriter Membership and appointments by the NSAI Board of Directors. The board terms begin each year at the April meeting.

Morgan Wallen Signs With Warner Chappell Music

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: Matt Paskert

Country sensation Morgan Wallen has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. As a part of this deal, he will have the ability to sign songwriters in partnership with Warner Chappell Music.

Honored as Songwriter of the Year at the 2023 BMI Country Awards, Wallen has penned his chart-toppers such as the multi-Platinum “Chasin’ You,” “7 Summers,” “You Proof” and “Thought You Should Know” as well as outside cuts recorded by Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Corey Kent and Kane Brown, among others.

His third studio album, One Thing At A Time, has spent the most weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart for a country album and was named Luminate’s Top Album of 2023 in the United States. The project’s six-time Platinum, Grammy-nominated single “Last Night” notched over 1.5 billion streams worldwide, becoming the most-streamed song of any genre in the nation across Apple Music and Spotify, and the longest running No. 1 solo song in Hot 100 history with 16 weeks total.

“When you listen to the craftsmanship of songs that Morgan is writing, such as the modern-day classics ‘7 Summers’ and ‘Thought You Should Know,’ and the impactful songs he’s written for other artists like ‘You Make It Easy’ (Jason Aldean) and ‘Wild as Her’ (Corey Kent), you start to understand that the man from East Tennessee is quickly becoming one of the most important songwriters of this generation,” says Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “Our entire Warner Chappell team is so proud of the opportunity to represent his songs.”

“Morgan’s songwriting style has been original and distinct from the beginning and it is so exciting to get to work with someone who has seen massive commercial success built on authenticity,” adds Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, Sr. Director, A&R and Digital, Warner Chappell Music Nashville.

“I look forward to working with Warner Chappell as my new music publishing partner and would like to thank them for also offering support in signing songwriters I believe in,” shares Wallen. “In many ways, I feel like I’ve always been a songwriter first, and because of that, the publishing community is especially close to my heart. I’m honored to use this partnership as an opportunity to give other songwriters a helping hand. Thanks to Ben, Phil [May], Jessi and their great team.”

Country Hitmaker Toby Keith Dies At 62 After Battle With Cancer

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Toby Keith

Iconic country hitmaker Toby Keith died Monday night (Feb. 5) after a battle with stomach cancer. He was 62.

Keith is one of the biggest country hitmakers of the modern era, with more than 40 million albums sold and 32 No. 1 hits. His legacy includes that of a prolific songwriter, as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee wrote 26 of his hits and 11 of those alone. Throughout his career, Keith garnered more than 10 billion streams, largely on the strength of his own songwriting and producing, and under the banner of his own record label Show Dog Nashville.

Toby Keith. Photo: Greg Watermann

Keith was also a member of the New York-based all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts and the Academy of Country Music’s prestigious Merle Haggard Spirit Award.

He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in June of 2022. That fall, he received the BMI Icon Award for his songwriting legacy, and in September of 2023, he made a triumphant appearance at the Peoples Choice Country Awards, where he accepted the Country Icon award and performed the poignant “Don’t Let The Old Man In.” BMLG Records partnered with Keith following the performance to release the song to country radio, making it Keith’s last chart appearance.

At the end of 2023, Keith performed several shows in Las Vegas. Despite the challenges from his illness, he played for two hours each night.

Keith’s death was announced on his social media early Tuesday morning (Feb. 6). “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time,” the post shared.

Toby Keith

Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma on July 8, 1961. His interest in music started young, and he got his first guitar around age 8. After graduating from high school, Keith started his career in the oil fields. He and his friends formed the Easy Money Band when Keith was 20. They played at local bars as he continued to move up in rank working in oil.

After the oil industry in Oklahoma began to decline in the early ’80s, Keith fell back on another passion: football. He played defensive end with the semi-pro Oklahoma City Drillers while continuing to perform with his band. By the mid ’80s, Keith’s Easy Money band began playing the honky-tonk circuit in Oklahoma and Texas.

Keith came to Nashville in the early ’90s. Despite giving out his demo to record labels up and down Music Row, he received no interest. He made a vow to himself that he would get a record deal by the time he was 30 or he would quit. After one of Keith’s demos ended up in the hands of record executive Harold Shedd, he was signed to Mercury Records.

Keith’s first release with the label came with 1993’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” It was a sure-fire hit and set Keith’s path to country superstardom. He continued his first spree of hits with “He Ain’t Worth Missing,” “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action” and “Wish I Didn’t Know Now,” all of which appeared on his debut, self-titled album.

Keith then signed with Polydor Records Nashville and released his second album, Boomtown, in 1994, containing such hits as “Who’s That Man,” “Upstairs Downtown,” “You Ain’t Much Fun” and “Big Ol’ Truck.”

Next up was a deal with the Nashville division of A&M Records, where he released his third album Blue Moon in 1996. That project contained “Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine on You,” “A Woman’s Touch” and “Me Too.” Keith returned to Mercury in 1997 to release his fourth studio album, Dream Walkin’, notching more hits with the project such as “We Were in Love” and a cover of Sting’s “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying.”

Toby Keith accepts an award onstage from BMI VP of Creative Nashville, Clay Bradley and president and CEO of BMI Mike O’Neill for the 2022 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI

The country maverick moved to DreamWorks Records in 1999. It was there that he had one of the biggest songs of his career, “How Do You Like Me Now?!” The song spent five weeks at No. 1 and became Keith’s first top 40 pop hit. The album of the same name also included “Country Comes to Town” and “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This.”

Keith released his next project, Pull My Chain, in 2001—the same year he took home the ACM’s Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year trophies. The album’s three singles—”I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight,” “I Wanna Talk About Me” and “My List”—all topped of the country charts. “My List” was the CMA’s Single of the Year in 2002.

His next string of hits came from 2002’s Unleashed album, which included juggernaut “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” a song Keith wrote by himself in just 20 minutes about the September 11 tragedy. Next came chart-toppers “Who’s Your Daddy?” and “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson which spent six weeks at the top of the country charts.

Toby Keith presented with his Pandora’s Billionaires Plaque at his Las Vegas show at Dolby Live at Park MGM in 2023

Keith released his eighth studio album Shock’n Y’all in 2003, and collected more hits with “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier” and “Whiskey Girl.” His last DreamWorks album was Honkytonk University, which included the six-week No. 1 “As Good as I Once Was.”

Keith founded his own label, Show Dog Nashville, in 2005. Releasing several projects on the label, he collected more hits, such as “Get Drunk and Be Somebody,” “A Little Too Late,” “Love Me If You Can,” “She Never Cried in Front of Me,” “God Love Her,” “American Ride,” “Every Dog Has Its Day” and more.

In 2011, Show Dog released Keith’s Clancy’s Tavern. The project included the No. 1 song “Made in America” and a beloved fan-favorite “Red Solo Cup,” which became Keith’s best-peaking crossover, reaching No. 15 on the Hot 100. His legacy was honored in December of 2011 when Keith received the Artist of the Decade award at the American Country Awards.

More success followed with Keith’s albums Hope on the Rocks (2012), 35 MPH Town (2015) and The Bus Songs (2017). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

Throughout his career, Keith has been a symbol of patriotism. His self-written “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)” helped spur Americans onward despite our wounds following the terrorist attacks on September 11. He frequently played for the troops, doing 11 USO Tours and touching the lives of nearly 256,000 soldiers and military families across 18 countries with more than 285 events. Keith was recognized with the Spirit of the USO Award in 2014 for his efforts.

Keith was also very passionate about other philanthropic causes. His annual golf classics funded the Toby Keith Foundation and the OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home for families of children dealing with critical illnesses. Recently, the 19th installment of the charity event raised a record $1.8 million, bringing its all-total to nearly $18 million.

Toby Keith

A singer, songwriter, musician, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and more, Keith’s interests and skills spanned far and wide. Recently Keith acquired Luck E Strike, an iconic bait and tackle brand. Other business ventures he undertook were bar and restaurant ownership, a clothing line and more, in addition to being a record label owner and prominent music business executive. In a 2013 issue of Forbes magazine, Keith was described as “Country Music’s $500 million man,” as he was out-earning prominent musicians such as Jay-Z and Beyoncé at that time.

In 2023, 17 of Keith’s songs were newly certified as Gold and Platinum singles from the RIAA, including the hit “I Love This Bar,” which was awarded double Platinum. He also released his last album, 100% Songwriter, last year, which included 13 of his solo writes.

Keith is survived by his mother; wife of 40 years, Tricia Lucus Keith; daughters, Shelley Covel and Krystal Sandubrae; a son, Stelen; a sister, Tonnie; a brother, Tracy; and four grandchildren.

Memorial services for Keith have not yet been announced at this time.

 

Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson Represent Country Music At 66th Annual Grammy Awards [Recap]

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Tracy Chapman & Luke Combs perform onstage during the 66th Grammy Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The 66th annual Grammy Awards took place Sunday night (Feb. 4) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The night included a lot of memorable moments, such as Taylor Swift breaking the record for most Album of the Year wins, Billy Joel performing for the first time on the Grammy stage after 30 years and Miley Cyrus winning her first Grammy and having a ball doing it.

Ultimately, the show was a great success. Expertly hosted once again by Trevor Noah, the 66th annual Grammy Awards featured excellent performances from Joel, Cyrus, SZA, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa and more.

Lainey Wilson posing with her Grammy at the 66th Grammy Awards. Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Though there weren’t a ton of country music moments throughout the telecast, they were very impactful. Just a few minutes into the show, Luke Combs took the stage to perform “Fast Car” alongside the song’s iconic author, Tracy Chapman. Before the performance, a video played of Combs explaining his reasoning for including the cover on his 2023 album Gettin’ Old. He shared that it was one of the first songs he learned to play, and that he included it on the album purely out of admiration.

“Tracy is such an icon and one of the best songwriters any of us will get to be around and see,” Combs shared in the video.

The roar of music industry titans could clearly be heard over the telecast as Chapman began strumming the opening chords of the iconic song. Clearly touched, she smiled out at the crowd and sounded as great as ever.

Combs held up his end of the bargain. He sounded great and seemed as enthralled by Chapman’s rare performance as anyone else was. The two exchanged grins throughout the song as the world watched, creating a perfect example of how music brings us together.

During “Fast Car,” the camera panned around the audience the smiling faces of Combs’ peers—such as Lainey Wilson, Brothers Osborne, Jelly Roll and Swift—who were all singing along and beaming with pride. It was the performance of the night.

Taylor Swift accepting the Album of the Year award onstage during the 66th Grammy Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Another country stalwart, Kacey Musgraves, was on hand to present Best Country Album during the telecast. She was celebrating having won the award herself for Same Trailer Different Park 10 years ago. The 2024 trophy went to first-time winner Wilson for her Bell Bottom Country project.

This marked a trifecta of Album of the Year wins for Wilson. She also took home the prize at the 2023 ACM Awards and CMA Awards, where she was also named Entertainer of the Year.

Wilson was emotional when she accepted the honor.

“I am from a farming community in northeast Louisiana. A little town of 200 people. I’m a fifth generation farmer’s daughter,” she said. “I would consider myself and everyone I surround myself with as farmers too—they’re story farmers.

“It’s about getting up every single day and planting those seeds, watering them and watching them grow,” Wilson said. “When you find the right farming community, you can have a harvest of a lifetime… That’s exactly what this is tonight.”

The other country awards were given out prior to the telecast, with Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance going to Chris Stapleton‘s “White Horse,” and Zach Bryan and Musgraves taking home the trophy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with “I Remember Everything.”

As for some of the other televised awards, Best New Artist went to Victoria Monét, Single of the Year was given to Cyrus for her titanic his “Flowers” and Song of the Year went to Eilish and Finneas O’Connell‘s Barbie tune “What Was I Made For?”

Swift won both Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year for Midnights. Now, with four wins in the category, Swift holds the record for the winningness artist in the Grammy’s Album of the Year category—surpassing Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon, who all previously won the title three times.

Joni Mitchell & Brandi Carlile peform during the 66th Grammy Awards. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

When Swift was presented with Best Pop Vocal Album earlier in the night, she announced that her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, is coming in April.

A standout moment during the telecast was Joni Mitchell‘s touching performance of “Both Sides Now.” Somehow it was the 80-year-old folk titan’s debut performance on the Grammy stage. Music treasure Brandi Carlile introduced Mitchell and sang along with her–bringing the crowd and those watching at home to tears with the moment.

By the end of the night, the 66th annual Grammy Awards had proved to be a meaningful yet fun evening of music. Legends such as Chapman, Mitchell and Joel were given their flowers, those we lost were honored and music’s biggest stars shined brightly.

Click here for a list of Nashville-related Grammy winners.