Josh Phillips Cracks Top Ten On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Josh Phillips

Songwriter Josh Phillips has entered the top 10 on this week’s MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. His solo-penned “Dirt Cheap,” recorded by Cody Johnson, has earned Phillips the No. 7 spot this week.

Chayce Beckham keeps the No. 1 spot this week with his hit single “23.” iHeartRadio Music Awards Songwriter of the Year winner Ashley Gorley is at No. 2 this week with “Last Night,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” “Truck Bed,” “World On Fire,” “Young Love & Saturday Nights” and “Bulletproof.”

Hunter Phelps (No. 3), Tracy Chapman (No. 4) and Michael Hardy (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

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.

2024 CMT Music Awards Take Over Austin, Texas [Recap]

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Jelly Roll poses with his awards during the 2024 CMT Music Awards. Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for CMT

The 2024 CMT Music Awards took place Sunday night (April 7) at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Jelly Roll was the night’s big winner, taking home three trophies for “Need A Favor,” including the coveted Video of the Year as well as Male Video of the Year and CMT Performance of the Year.

Kelsea Ballerini speaks onstage during the 2024 CMT Music Awards. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT

Other winners included Lainey Wilson (Female Video of the Year with “Watermelon Moonshine”), Dan + Shay (Duo/Group Video of the Year with “Save Me The Trouble”), Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton (Collaborative of the Year for “We Don’t Fight Anymore”) and more.

Kelsea Ballerini served as host for the evening, her fourth time guiding the show. She kept things bright and exciting, with her bubbly personality serving as the perfect presence for the fan-voted and fan-focused award show.

The 2024 CMT Music Awards started with a blitz of performances. Cody Johnson kicked things off with a rousing performance of “That’s Texas.” Viewers were then taken outside the arena for Jason Aldean‘s performance of “Let Your Boys Be Country,” and came back inside to for Megan Moroney to sing “No Caller ID.”

Lainey Wilson performs onstage during the 2024 CMT Music Awards. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT

The first televised award of the night went to Pearce and Stapleton for Collaborative Video of the Year with “We Don’t Fight Anymore.” Pearce brought up the video’s director, Alexa Campbell, when accepting the honor.

For the next performance, rising star Brittney Spencer joined Parker McCollum on his fiery hit “Burn It Down.” This marked the first of many musical collaborations. Later on in the night, Moroney joined Old Dominion for their duet “Can’t Break Up Now,” and rock band NeedToBreathe collaborated with Jordan Davis for a mashup of the band’s “Brother” and Davis’ “Next Thing You Know”—CMT Crossroads-style.

The best collaboration, and perhaps the best musical moment, came when Little Big Town and Sugarland joined forces for their new rendition of Phil Collins’ “Take Me Home.” It was also revealed that the groups would be heading out on the road together during the show.

Trisha Yearwood accepts the June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award onstage during the 2024 CMT Music Awards. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT

Ashley Cooke gleefully took the stage to receive the Breakthrough Female Video of the Year award for “Your Place,” and Warren Zeiders accepted the male equivalent for “Pretty Little Poison.”

Trisha Yearwood was presented with the first-ever June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award during the show. The new award recognizes an artist, duo/group or industry veteran who demonstrates dedication to their community and fellow artists, embodying her spirit as a fierce advocate and initiator in paying it forward, helping others find their voice and using their platform to inspire and uplift others.

When accepting the award, Yearwood said, “My hope is that we all can learn a little big from June Carter Cash’s legacy and be a little bit more real, a little bit more vulnerable, be a little bit less about me and more about us… I look at this as a challenge and a calling to be better.”

Pictured (L-R): Ronnie Dunn, Sammy Hagar, Kix Brooks, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, Roger Clemens, Lukas Nelson Mica Roberts and Toby Keith’s band members toast Keith onstage during the 2024 CMT Music Awards. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT

Wilson notched another great awards show performance with “Country’s Cool Again” and Bailey Zimmerman brought the energy for “Where It Ends.” After a performance from Keith Urban of a new song called “Straight Line,” Jelly Roll won his first trophy of the night for CMT Performance of the Year.

Sam Hunt emulated Johnny Cash’s iconic Folsom Prison concert with a performance of his new single “Locked Up,” and host Ballerini took viewers back outside to sing her reimagined 2014-hit “Love Me Like You Mean It.” Then Beyoncé collaborators Spencer, Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts presented the next award to Dan + Shay for Duo/Group Video of the Year (“Save Me The Trouble.”)

Next up was a tribute to the iconic Toby Keith. With emotional commentary from his friend and baseball star Roger Clemens, some of Keith’s biggest hits were performed. Brooks & Dunn took on “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” Sammy Hagar showed his admiration with “I Love This Bar” and Wilson perfectly embodied the spirit of “How Do You Like Me Now.”

Pictured (L-R): Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Jennifer Nettles, Karen Fairchild, Kristian Bush and Philip Sweet perform onstage during the 2024 CMT Music Awards. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT

After a fun performance of her viral hit “Austin” from Dasha, Jelly Roll was back up on stage accepting Male Video of the Year. As has become custom for the star, he gave a hair-raising acceptance speech, giving a shout out to those in the juvenile detention centers in Nashville and Austin.

“It’s important I stand up here and represent those that are looking for second chances,” he said, turning his attention to the juvenile detention centers. “I’m cheering y’all boys on! You can turn it around, I promise you!”

Female Video of the Year was presented to Wilson. She made sure to share how hard she knew each of her fellow nominees work, and thank fans for supporting women in country music.

“They work their tails off and dedicate their loves to creating music and creating a vision and bring it to life,” she said. “Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for supporting women in country. It’s a big dang deal.”

Jelly Roll made a triumphant finish for the show, accepting his Video of the Year honor one minute and tearing the house down with a performance of “Halfway To Hell” the next, ending the show on a high note.

CMT Music Awards 2024 Winners [Full List]

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The 2024 CMT Music Awards took over Austin, Texas’ Moody Center on Sunday night (April 7) for the fan-voted event.

Host Kelsea Ballerini, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney led the nominations with three nods a piece. By the beginning of the show, the night’s top honor, Video of the Year, had been whittled down to Johnson’s “The Painter,” Ballerini’s “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” and Jelly Roll’s “Need A Favor.” Fans were able to vote until the end of the show.

Jelly Roll took home the coveted Video of the Year trophy for “Need A Favor.” The song also won him Male Video of the Year and CMT Performance of the Year.

Wilson won Female Video of the Year with “Watermelon Moonshine.” Dan + Shay earned the trophy for Duo/Group Video of the Year with “Save Me The Trouble,” while Carly Pearce and Chris Stapleton took home Collaborative of the Year for “We Don’t Fight Anymore.”

Ashley Cooke won Breakthrough Female Video of the Year for “Your Place,” and Warren Zeiders took home the Male trophy for “Pretty Little Poison.”

Click here to read MusicRow‘s recap of the CMT Music Awards.

Winners will be updated below (winners in RED):

2024 CMT Music Awards:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration). Top six nominees from the first round of voting, will be announced on April 1. The final three nominees, from the second round of voting, will be announced on show day (April 7). Final voting will be determined via social media and announced as the final category during the live show.
– Ashley McBryde – “Light On In The Kitchen”
– Brandy Clark feat. Brandi Carlile – “Dear Insecurity”
– Brothers Osborne – “Nobody’s Nobody”
– Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
– Darius Rucker – “Fires Don’t Start Themselves”
– Hardy – “Truck Bed”
– Jason Aldean – “Let Your Boys Be Country”
– Jelly Roll – “Need A Favor” – WINNER
– Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
– Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”
– Kelsea Ballerini – “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)”
– Lainey Wilson – “Watermelon Moonshine”
– Mickey Guyton feat. Kane Brown – “Nothing Compares To You”
– Parmalee – “Gonna Love You”
– Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
– Zach Bryan – “Nine Ball”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist.
– Ashley McBryde – “Light On In The Kitchen”
– Gabby Barrett – “Glory Days”
– Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”
– Kelsea Ballerini – “Penthouse”
– Lainey Wilson – “Watermelon Moonshine” – WINNER
– Megan Moroney – “I’m Not Pretty”
– Reba McEntire – “Seven Minutes In Heaven”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist.
– Bailey Zimmerman – “Religiously”
– Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
– Hardy – “Truck Bed”
– Jelly Roll – “Need A Favor” – WINNER
– Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
– Luke Combs – “Fast Car (Official Live Video)”
– Morgan Wallen “Last Night (One Record At A Time Sessions)”

DUO/GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo or group; awarded to the artists.
– Brothers Osborne – “Nobody’s Nobody”
– Dan + Shay – “Save Me The Trouble” – WINNER
– Old Dominion – “Memory Lane”
– Parmalee – “Girl In Mine”
– The War And Treaty – “Have You A Heart”
– Tigirlily Gold – “Shoot Tequila”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists.
– Carly Pearce feat. Chris Stapleton – “We Don’t Fight Anymore” – WINNER
– Ella Langley feat. Koe Wetzel – “That’s Why We Fight”
– Jon Pardi, Luke Bryan – “Cowboys and Plowboys”
– Justin Moore & Priscilla Block – “You, Me, And Whiskey”
– Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real (POTR) feat. Lainey Wilson – “More Than Friends”
– Mickey Guyton feat. Kane Brown – “Nothing Compares To You”
– Old Dominion & Megan Moroney – “Can’t Break Up Now”

BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR, presented by Walt Disney World
Best video from a female artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist.
– Anne Wilson – “Rain In The Rearview”
– Ashley Cooke – “Your Place” – WINNER
– Brittney Spencer – “Bigger Than The Song”
– Tigirlily Gold – “Shoot Tequila”

BREAKTHROUGH MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR, presented by Walt Disney World
Best video from a male artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist.
– Chayce Beckham – “23”
– Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
– Warren Zeiders – “Pretty Little Poison”  – WINNER
– Zach Bryan – “Oklahoma Smokeshow”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo).
– Amber Riley – “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” (from CMT Smashing Glass)
– Bret Michaels & Chris Janson – “Nothing But A Good Time” (from CMT Crossroads)
– Carrie Underwood – “Hate My Heart” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
– Cody Johnson – “Human” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
– Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane” (from CMT Storytellers)
– Dustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter – “Thinking ‘Bout You” (from CMT Campfire Sessions)
– Hozier & Maren Morris – “Take Me To Church” (from CMT Crossroads)
– Jelly Roll – “Need A Favor” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards) – WINNER
– Kelsea Ballerini – “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
– The War And Treaty – “On My Own” (from CMT Smashing Glass)

CMT DIGITAL-FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance from a production, series or livestream created for CMT digital / social channels; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo).
– Chase Rice – “Goodnight Nancy” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
– Dylan Scott – “Don’t Close Your Eyes (Keith Whitley Cover)” (from “CMT Digital Campfire Sessions”)
– Megan Moroney – “I’m Not Pretty” (from “CMT Digital Campfire Sessions”)
– Nate Smith – “Whiskey On You” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
– Scotty McCreery – “It Matters To Her” (from CMT Stages) – WINNER
– Stephen Wilson Jr. – “Year to Be Young 1994” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
– The Castellows – “I Know It Will Never End” (from CMT Studio Sessions)

Kenny Chesney’s ‘Take Her Home’ Reaches No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart

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Kenny Chesney‘s smooth ballad “Take Her Home” has reached the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week, climbing from No. 2 to No. 1.

The track appears on Chesney’s Born album and was written by Hunter Phelps, Michael Hardy and Zach Abend.

Chesney is gearing up to hit the road on his upcoming “Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour.” Joined by Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker, the tour will kick off at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on April 20.

“Take Her Home” currently sits at No. 12 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 12 on the Mediabase chart.

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

Colt Ford In ICU Following A Heart Attack

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Colt Ford: Photo: Goldy

Country-rap maverick Colt Ford had a heart attack after a show in Gilbert, Arizona on Thursday (April 4). He is now in the Intensive Care Unit at the Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona, and his condition is stable but critical.

A multi-Platinum singer-songwriter from Athens, Georgia, Ford has notched several No. 1 hits. He co-wrote and originally recorded Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem,” which has garnered over 927 million worldwide streams. Ford also recently notched another chart-topper as a co-writer on George Birge‘s “Mind On You.”

[Updated on Monday, April 8, 2024]: Ford remains in the ICU, with his condition steadily improving in a positive direction. At this time, his family is requesting privacy and appreciates continued thoughts and prayers.

Tin Pan South Night Two Features Ashley Gorley, Casey Beathard, Ingrid Andress, More

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Pictured (L-R): Billy Montana, Randy Montana, Tucker Beathard, Casey Beathard. Photo: Luke Lander

Tin Pan South continued Wednesday night (April 3) at bars and listening rooms across Nashville.

Ashley Cooke, Blake Pendergrass, Lily Rose and a special guest took on the early show at Anzie Blue, while Trannie Anderson, Jon Nite, Cole Swindell and Cole Taylor played at 3rd & Lindsley. Tony Arata, Brennley Brown, Lance Carpenter and Larry Gatlin played Station Inn. Casey Beathard, Tucker Beathard, Billy Montana and Randy Montana took on the Analog at Hutton Hotel.

Pictured (L-R): Tony Arata, Lance Carpenter, Brennley Brown, Larry Gatlin. Photo: Courtesy of NSAI.

Siedah Garrett, Josh Kear, Phil Vassar and Matthew West played the 6 p.m. show at The Listening Room before Ingrid Andress, Benjy Davis, Scotty McCreery and Chase McGill took over at 9 p.m.

Pictured (L-R): Benjy Davis, Scotty McCreery, Chase McGill, Ingrid Andress. Photo: Courtesy of NSAI.

LoCash, Willie Morrison, CJ Solar and Matt Willis took the stage at Hard Rock Cafe for the late show; while Ashley Gorley, Hardy and Josh Osborne played at 3rd & Lindsley.

Pictured (L-R): Locash, Matt Willis, CJ Solar. Photo: Luke Lander

Ethan Hulse, Morgan Myles, Jason Sever and Brian White closed out The Lounge at City Winery with some music; as did Micah Carpenter, Billy Dawson, Jacob Hackworth, Zach John King and Daniel Ross at Anzie Blue.

Pictured (L-R): Jason Sever, Morgan Myles, Brian White. Photo: Courtesy of NSAI.

Among the songwriters who will be featured at tonight’s rounds (April 4) are Tiera Kennedy, Karley Scott Collins, Adam Hambrick, Stephony Smith, Jerry Flowers, Terri Jo Box, Jim Collins, Brett James, Megan Conner, Casey Brown and many more. See the full schedule here.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dalton Dover Delivers ‘Romping, Stomping Honky Tonker’

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Dalton Dover. Photo Credit: Jim Wright

Baby acts rule the roost in today’s DISClaimer.

Leading the way is DISCovery Award winner Dasha. Riding alongside her are label mates Matt Schuster and Gabby Barrett, both of whom also turned in outstanding work this week.

Ernest, Luke Dick and Koe Wetzel are ear-tickling, too. So is our Disc of the Day winner, Dalton Dover. Listen and believe.

RICK MONROE & THE HITMEN / “Six Gun Soul”
Writers: Alan Beeler/Rick Monroe; Producer: Malcolm Springer; Label: The Label Group
– The title tune of Monroe’s new LP (yes, it’s on vinyl) is a minor-key outlaw warning. If you knock him down, you better knock him out because he’s a rugged survivor. The band conjures a dark mood, and his tenor voice wails.

GABBY BARRETT / “Dance Like No One’s Watching”
Writers: Emily Weisband/James McNair/Luke Combs; Producers: Gabby Barrett/Ross Copperman; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– It’s a slow waltz with terrific male chorus harmony courtesy of Luke Combs. She carries the advice of her father with her as she journeys through life. Hold on for the heart-tugging, wedding-dance third verse. For more on this theme, revisit the 1989 Kathy Mattea No. 1 hit “Come From the Heart,” penned by Susanna Clark & Richard Leigh.

LUKE DICK / “Shirt Off My Back”
Writers: Luke Dick/Chris DuBois/Jason Lehning; Producers: Luke Dick/Jason Lehning; Label: Virgin
– This is an autobiographical stomper with hushed verses alternating with shouted choruses. As is always the case with this songwriter, the lyric and the entire approach are both wildly creative. Like the song instructs, “Clap hands.”

DYLAN SCOTT / “What He’ll Never Have”
Writers: Dylan Scott/Logan Robinson/Ricky Rowton/Robbie Gatlin; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Curb Records
– Whatever any new man in her life might have, he won’t have “the love that I have for you,” Scott avers in this somewhat loudly produced country rocker. Notch another surefire hit, buddy.

DASHA / “Austin”
Writers: Adam Wendler/Anna Dasha Novotny/Cheyenne Rose Arnspiger/Kenneth Travis Heidelman; Producer: Travis Heidelman; Label: Warner Records
– What a disc debut. This is insanely catchy with EDM beats and her saucy vocal telling the tale of a gal who gets left high and dry, waiting for him to take her away. She’ll get along without him, but “In 40 years, you’ll still be here, drunk, washed up in Austin.” It comes as no surprise to learn that the feisty toe-tapper has a line dance.

ERNEST & JELLY ROLL / “I Went To College, I Went To Jail”
Writers: Chandler Paul Walters/Ernest Keith Smith/Luke Bryan/Rivers Rutherford; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– The “Flower Shops” man is back with a 26-track sophomore album titled Nashville, Tennessee. The singer-songwriter teams up with fellow native Nashvillian Jelly Roll on this honky-tonking, rumbling twang fest. They swap lines adroitly, describing their wayward journeys on the way to Music Row. Heartily recommended.

ANGEL WHITE / “Outlaw”
Writers: Dwight A. Baker/Khalil Hall; Producer: Dwight A. Baker; Label: Wyatt Road Records
– He’s a fifth-generation Black Texas cowboy. His single is a guitar-vocal performance with a bluesy slow groove. The ballad showcases his expressive voice. It’s quite promising, but next time, I’d hire a band and a producer.

MATT SCHUSTER / “Thought You Were”
Writers: Adam Yaron/Andrew Stoelzing/Emily Falvey/Matt Schuster; Producer: Adam Yaron; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– It turns out that she wasn’t the gal for him, after all. The heartache piano ballad is lovely on every level, but most especially in his strikingly soulful vocal performance. There’s something special at work here. I remain a fan.

DALTON DOVER / “Bury Me In This Bar”
Writers: Benjy Davis/Dalton Dover/Dan Isbell/Jamie Davis; Producer: Matthew McVaney; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Dover continues his winning ways with this romping, stomping honky tonker with flourishes of steel and galloping rhythm. Thirsty for real country music? Belly up to this bar. You need the song on your playlist, now more than ever.

MAGGIE ROSE / “Fake Flowers”
Writers: Charles Harmon/Claude Kelly/Margaret Rose Durante; Producer: Ben Tanner; Label: Big Loud Records
– Rose is a fiery, ferocious singer who is working in a nouveau-soul style in Music City. This torrid, blues-soaked outing blazes with anger and passion. Rock on, sister.

KOE WETZEL / “Damn Near Normal”
Writers: Amy Allen/Sam Harris/Carrie Karpinen/Gabe Simon/Ropyr Wetzel; Producers: Gabe Simon/Carrie Karpinen; Label: Columbia
– He’s living in squalor and knows his lifestyle isn’t healthy. It’s a good song and a good performance, but the electric guitar churning drowns out the lyric about half of the time. Remix this.

DAVID NAIL / “If I Could Call”
Writer: David Nail; Producer: Reed Pittman; Label: One Five Sound
– We all must deal with grief. Nail muses about the loss of his beloved grandfather, wishing he could have one more phone conversation with him. He yearns for the comfort of the man he’s lost, but knows that everything’s really okay because his own son, named for the granddad, is near him. An accompanying string section sighs along softly.

AIMP Honors Indie Songwriters & Publishers At 2024 Nashville Country Awards

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Jordan Davis, AIMP Artist-Writer of the Year. Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP

The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) held its ninth annual AIMP Nashville Country Awards on Monday night (April 1) at the Ryman Auditorium, honoring the best of Nashville’s independent songwriters and publishers. Presented by Spotify, the evening was emceed by Storme Warren.

Tim Hunze, AIMP Song Champion Award of the Year. Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP

This year’s Song of the Year was “Next Thing You Know,” performed by Jordan Davis who co-wrote the song with Josh Osborne, Chase McGill and Greylan James. Davis also took home Artist-Writer of the Year.

“I moved here in 2012 and dreamed about getting in the room to write songs with some of these people sitting in the front rows,” Davis said. “I never dreamed I would find the community and family that I have here in Nashville. I’m blessed to get to do this for a living—we all are.”

Morgan Wallen was awarded with the Songwriter of the Year honor. Big Loud Publishing was named Publisher of the Year, and the company’s Rocky Block took home the 2024 Rising Songwriter of the Year. Mae Estes won the Rising Artist-Writer of the Year.

John Byron, Josh Miller and Travis Wood, the writers of AIMP’s Publisher Pick of the Year “’98 Braves.” Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP

“I’ve been independently published my whole career,” Block said when he took to the mic stand. “I want to thank Bob DiPiero for taking a chance on me a long time ago and Big Loud for doing such a great job with me the last few years.”

“This is unreal,” Estes said. “I’ve got to thank Kendall Warren and Stephanie Cox at Plaid Flag Music and Kobalt Music for believing in me.”

Wallen’s “’98 Braves,” written by Travis Wood, John Byron and Josh Miller, was selected as this year’s Publisher Pick. “Last Night,” written by Byron, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome and Jacob “JKash” Kasher Hindlin, was recognized as the Most Streamed Country Song of the Year.

Big Loud Publishing team, AIMP’s Publisher of the Year. Photo: Hunter Berry for AIMP

Big Machine Music’s Tim Hunze was presented with the coveted 2024 AIMP Song Champion Award for his enduring and significant contributions to the independent publishing and songwriting community.

“[Early in my career] Tom Shapiro told me, ‘Take care of the creatives and writers and you’ll always have a job.’ That is the best part of what I get to do,” Hunze says. “One of the greatest thing about our industry is that we’re a community.”

As is tradition, awards presentations were flanked by past and present Rising Artist-Writer of the Year and Artist-Writer of the Year nominees performing the songs nominated in the Song of the Year category. “Next Thing You Know” was performed by Russell Dickerson, “’98 Braves” was sung by George Birge, Davis performed “Fast Car” and “Human” was sung by Dylan Marlowe. Dylan Scott and songwriters Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson took on “Heart Like A Truck,” while Estes brought the house down with “Tennessee Orange.”

“The awards are always a magical night with artist nominees performing Song of the Year-nominated songs,” shared Ree Guyer, Owner of Wrensong Entertainment and President of AIMP Nashville. “It is always fun seeing our indie publishers come together to celebrate one another in a laid-back, intimate setting.”

Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, More Represent Nashville At iHeartRadio Music Awards

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Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson. Photo: The Tyler Twins.

The 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards took place last night (April 1) at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

Among the big winners of the night were “Kill Bill” for Song Of The Year by SZA, Taylor Swift for Artist of the Year and Tour of the Year, OneRepublic for Duo/Group of the Year, “Calm Down” by Rema and Selena Gomez for Best Collaboration, Jack Antonoff for Producer of the Year, Ashley Gorley for Songwriter of the Year and Republic Records for Label of the Year.

In the country categories, some of Nashville’s best shined bright with awards such as “Heart Like A Truck” by Lainey Wilson for Country Song Of The Year, Morgan Wallen as Country Artist Of The Year, Wallen‘s One Thing At A Time for Country Album Of The Year and Jelly Roll for Best New Country Artist and Best New Pop Artist.

Beyoncé and Stevie Wonder. Photo: The Tyler Twins.

Beyoncé was presented with the 2024 iHeartRadio Innovator Award for taking creative risks, successfully transforming her music and influencing pop culture. Cher was presented with the 2024 iHeartRadio Icon Award, honoring her unparalleled contributions to music and pop culture for over seven decades.

The iHeartRadio Landmark Award was presented to Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer’s Green Day release of Dookie and TLC‘s CrazySexyCool. The award recognizes artists’ album releases that have inspired and shaped culture over multiple decades.

Broadcasted live on FOX, on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide, and on iHeartRadio and hosted by Ludacris, the night featured performances and collaborations including Justin Timberlake, Green Day, Tate McRae, Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson, TLC and Latto, Cher and Jennifer Hudson and host Ludacris.

iHeartRadio Music Award Winners:
Song of the Year: “Kill Bill” – SZA
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Duo/Group of the Year: OneRepublic
Best Collaboration: “Calm Down”- Rema & Selena Gomez                                                          
Best New Artist (Pop): Jelly Roll
Country Song of the Year: “Heart Like A Truck” – Lainey Wilson                                                                    
Country Artist of the Year: Morgan Wallen
Country Album of the Year: One Thing At A Time– Morgan Wallen
Best New Artist (Country): Jelly Roll
Producer of the Year: Jack Antonoff
Songwriter of the Year: Ashley Gorley
Tour of the Year: Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour
Label of the Year: Republic Records

For a full list of winners, click here.

Kacey Musgraves Jumps Into Top Four On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Kacey Musgraves. Photo: Kelly Christine Sutton.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves jumps 12 spots to No. 4 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. “Deeper Well,” “Too Good To Be True,” “Cardinal” and “The Architect,” all from her new album Deeper Well, as well as her collaboration with Zach Bryan “I Remember Everything,” earns Musgraves the No. 4 spot this week.

The solo-penned “23” helps Chayce Beckham claim the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive week. Ashley Gorley sits at No. 2 this week with “World On Fire,” “Young Love & Saturday Nights,” “Last Night,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” “Truck Bed,” “Bulletproof” and “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us.”

Hunter Phelps (No. 3) and Tracy Chapman (No. 5) round out this week’s top five.

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.