Niko Moon, Lee Brice Win At SESAC 2021 Nashville Music Awards

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Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Lydia Schultz, Lee Brice, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch

SESAC has revealed the winners for the 2021 Nashville Music Awards, which took place in a digital format. The winners were celebrated on SESAC’s website and social platforms.

Niko Moon was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year for the first time. Moon’s career includes several hit songs recorded by Zac Brown Band, including “Homegrown,” “Beautiful Drug,” “Keep Me in Mind,” and “Loving You Easy,” as well as the Rascal Flatts hit “Back To Life.” This year he earned his first No. 1 hit as an artist with “Good Time,” and also co-wrote the chart-topper “Gone,” recorded by Dierks Bentley.

SESAC writer Lee Brice‘s seventh career No. 1, “One Of Them Girls,” was named Song of the Year. The tune swept the Nashville PRO awards this year, winning Song of the Year honors at the SESAC, BMI and ASCAP Nashville awards. “One of Them Girls” was certified double-Platinum by the RIAA in August of this year. It spent three weeks at the No. 1 position on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and has remained in the Top 10 each recurrent week. Additionally, the song has over 390 million on-demand streams to date.

Warner Chappell Music took home the Publisher of the Year accolade, after most recently winning the award in 2019. The publishing company also won the BMI Publisher of the Year honor this year, in a tie with Sony Music Publishing.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and Scott Jungmichel, 2021 Songwriter of the Year Niko Moon, SESAC’s ET Brown and Lydia Schultz

Additionally, Walker Hayes’ 16-week No. 1, viral hit “Fancy Like,” written by affiliate Josh Jenkins and published by SMACK Songs and Kobalt, was awarded a new honor, Sync Song of the Year.

“Songwriting and music publishing are at the very core of the music business, and we at SESAC love that we get to honor those contributions,” says Scott Jungmichel, President and COO, SESAC PRO. “We are happy to celebrate our top performed songs over the past year.”

“We are very proud of the songs we awarded this year,” adds Shannan Hatch, Vice President of Creative Services. “Our Nashville creative team worked hard to come up with creative, cozy, and safe gatherings to celebrate the successes of our SESAC songwriter and publisher family who won awards. We all look forward to the future when we can safely celebrate with everyone in person.”

For a complete list of SESAC 2021 Nashville Music Award winners and to see special messages from SESAC Country and Americana honorees, click here.

Scott Clayton Joins UTA As Co-Head Of Global Music, Partner

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Scott Clayton

Agent Scott Clayton has joined the ranks at UTA as Co-Head of its Global Music Division and as a Partner. Alongside UTA Global Music Co-Heads Sam Kirby Yoh and David Zedeck, the trio will lead UTA’s New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville hubs to further solidify the agency’s reach across all genres. Clayton will continue to be based in Nashville.

Clayton joins UTA after his recent departure from WME where he was a Partner and Co-Head of the agency’s music division. He has guided the touring careers of successful acts, including John Mayer, Zac Brown Band, Kings of Leon, Dead & Company, Train, My Morning Jacket, Michael Franti, Rodrigo y Gabriela and many others. Prior to WME, Clayton previously worked at CAA for 17 years as a Co-Head of their Nashville office, served as the Co-Chair of the city’s Music City Music Council, and is a member of the Nashville Public Radio Board of Directors.

“Scott is the epitome of what we look for in a leader at UTA: he is a strong advocate for artists and has a long history of supporting and mentoring colleagues,” shares UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer. “Sam and David have done a great job building a world-class team and we are very excited for Scott to join us as we continue to grow our music practice.”

Kirby Yoh and Zedeck jointly add, “We are excited to have Scott join us as a Co-Head of the music group. He is a relentless champion for his clients, and we know that he will bring that same energy to UTA. He is a dedicated leader who has played a significant role in building so many people’s careers and we look forward to collaborating with him as we continue to build our team and do great work for our clients.”

“Over the past few years, I have witnessed the incredible job UTA has done to expand and elevate the music department,” states Clayton. “Sam, David, and the team have shown true innovation and leadership during this unprecedented time and have really delivered for their artists across all genres. I am very excited to be joining a company that has built a culture that is grounded in transparency with colleagues and in service to clients.”

Clayton’s hire follows a series of moves that UTA’s Music Division has made over the last year, adding numerous executives and agents to its ranks across multiple offices. The new hires include agents Jeffrey Hasson, Brett Saliba, Matt Korn, and Emily Wright, who are based in Nashville. In June 2021, UTA opened its new Nashville headquarters at the historic downtown site of the former Carnegie Library in the heart of Music City.

Jesse Frasure, Dallas Davidson, Ben Johnson, More Among Top Winners At BMI Country Awards

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Jesse Frasure, Dallas Davidson, Ben Johnson

BMI has revealed its winners list for the 69th Annual BMI Country Awards. The winners were celebrated across all BMI digital and social channels.

Songwriter/producer Jesse Frasure was named Songwriter of the Year for the second time. He penned five of the year’s most-performed songs, including “Almost Maybes,” “Hole In The Bottle,” “One Big Country Song,” “One Thing Right,” and “What’s Your Country Song.”

“One of Them Girls,” co-written by BMI songwriters Dallas Davidson and Ben Johnson, won Song of the Year. The tune was also named Song of the Year at the ASCAP Country Music Awards last week. “One of Them Girls” was recorded by Lee Brice and certified double-Platinum by the RIAA in August of this year. It spent three weeks at the No. 1 position on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and has remained in the Top 10 each recurrent week. Additionally, the song has over 390 million on-demand streams to date. This honor marks the 30th BMI County Award for Davidson and the very first for Johnson.

For the first time in 33 years, the Publisher of the Year designation ended with a tie between Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music. Collectively, the publishing powerhouses represent a combined total of 36 of this year’s award-winning titles. Sony Music Publishing’s award-winning titles include “One Beer,” “Lovin’ on You,” “I Called Mama,” and “Beer Can’t Fix.” Warner Chappell Music’s titles include “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” “I Love My Country,” and “One Night Standards.”

BMI also celebrated the songwriters and publishers of the 50 most-performed country songs of the year. Among the songs honored are “Bluebird,” “Heartless,” “The Good Ones,” and “I Should Probably Go to Bed.” This year’s winners include 24 first-time BMI Country Award recipients, such as Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, and Taylor Kerr of Maddie & Tae. Additional winners include Miranda Lambert, Michael Hardy, Natalie Hemby, Shy Carter, Luke Combs, Kane Brown, and more.

“Songwriters and publishers are the lifeblood of our business and our Nashville community, and it is an honor to represent and award our members every year,” says Clay Bradley, VP, BMI Nashville. “We are thrilled to celebrate the phenomenal songwriters and publishers whose talent and hard work continue to propel our genre to new heights. We look forward to inviting you all back into our BMI home in 2022.”

For a complete list of 2021 BMI Country Award winners and to learn more about your favorite BMI songwriters, click here.

Morgan Wallen Returns To The Road On “The Dangerous Tour”

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Morgan Wallen has announced his return to the road with “The Dangerous Tour.” Named after his blockbuster album, Dangerous: The Double Album, the entertainer will be accompanied by label-mate Hardy as direct support in 2022, with Larry Fleet joining on select dates.

This is Wallen’s first official tour announcement following his use of a racial slur in February, however he has been playing one-off shows across the United States since the incident.

Spanning through 46 cities, the run will begin in Evansville, Indiana on Feb. 3 at the Ford Center. “The Dangerous Tour” will visit arenas and amphitheaters across the country, including making major debuts at Madison Square Garden in New York, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta. The seven-month trek will wrap in Los Angeles on Sept. 24 at STAPLES Center.

All arena dates are set to go on sale beginning on Friday, Nov. 19, with amphitheater shows on sale starting Dec. 3. Tickets and VIP packages are available for purchase here.

“The Dangerous Tour” Dates:
*On Sale Nov. 19 | ^On Sale Dec. 3
Feb. 3, 2022 — Evansville, IN — Ford Center — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
Feb. 4, 2022 — Charleston, WV — Charleston Coliseum — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
Feb. 5, 2022 — Allentown, PA — PPL Center — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
Feb. 9, 2022 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
Feb. 10, 2022 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
Feb. 24, 2022 — Columbia, SC — Colonial Life Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
Feb. 25, 2022 — Savannah, GA — Enmarket Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
Feb. 26, 2022 — Greenville, SC — Bon Secours Wellness Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
March 3, 2022 — Biloxi, MS — Mississippi Coast Coliseum — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
March 4, 2022 — Bossier City, LA — Brookshire Grocery Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
March 5, 2022 — Oklahoma City, OK — Paycom Center — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
March 10, 2022 — Sioux Falls, SD — Denny Sanford PREMIER Center — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
March 11, 2022 — Omaha, NE — CHI Health Center — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
March 12, 2022 — Grand Forks, ND — Alerus Center — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
March 16, 2022 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
March 17, 2022 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
March 18, 2022 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
April 21, 2022 — Corpus Christi, TX — American Bank Center — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
April 22, 2022 — San Antonio, TX — AT&T Center — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
April 23, 2022 — Lafayette, LA — CAJUNDOME — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
April 28, 2022 — Green Bay, WI — Resch Center — TBD and Larry Fleet*
April 29, 2022 — Des Moines, IA — Wells Fargo Arena — TBD and Larry Fleet*
April 30, 2022 — Kansas City, MO — T-Mobile Center — TBD and Larry Fleet*
May 12, 2022 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet^
May 13, 2022 — Rapid City, SD — Summit Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
May 14, 2022 — Billings, MT — First Interstate Arena — HARDY and Larry Fleet*
June 2, 2022 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion — HARDY^
June 3, 2022 — Raleigh, NC — Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek — HARDY^
June 4, 2022 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live — HARDY^
June 16, 2022 — Noblesville, IN — Ruoff Music Center — HARDY^
June 23, 2022 — Gilford, NH — Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion — HARDY^
June 24, 2022 — Gilford, NH — Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion — HARDY^
June 25, 2022 — Darien Center, NY — Darien Lake Amphitheater — HARDY^
July 7, 2022 — Saratoga Springs, NY — Saratoga Performing Arts Center — HARDY^
July 8, 2022 — Syracuse, NY — St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview — HARDY^
July 21, 2022 — Burgettstown, PA — The Pavilion at Star Lake — HARDY^
July 30, 2022 — Ridgefield, WA — RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater — TBD^
Aug. 5, 2022 — Atlanta, GA — Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood — HARDY^
Aug. 11, 2022 — Mansfield, MA — Xfinity Center — HARDY^
Aug. 12, 2022 — Hartford, CT — XFINITY Theatre — HARDY^
Aug. 25, 2022 — Wichita, KS — INTRUST Bank Arena — HARDY^
Aug. 26, 2022 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP — HARDY^
Aug. 27, 2022 — St Louis, MO — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre — HARDY^
Sept. 7, 2022 — Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater — HARDY^
Sept. 9, 2022 — Nampa, ID — Ford Idaho Center — HARDY^
Sept. 10, 2022 — West Valley City, UT — USANA Amphitheatre — HARDY^
Sept. 15, 2022 — Chula Vista, CA — North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre — HARDY^
Sept. 16, 2022 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre — HARDY^
Sept. 17, 2022 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre — HARDY^
Sept. 24, 2022 — Los Angeles, CA — STAPLES Center — HARDY^

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brothers Osborne, Brandi Carlile, The Kentucky Gentlemen

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Brothers Osborne

Wednesday’s CMA Awards marked new maturity for the country genre.

There were still drinkin’ and cheatin’ songs, to be sure. But there were also a great many truly transcendent musical moments–Jennifer Hudson soul singing with Chris Stapleton, the electrifying showmanship of Jimmie Allen, the rocking delight of Eric Church and sterling duet work by Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde, plus the three songs highlighted in today’s column.

They are “Doin’ This” by Luke Combs, “Love My Hair” by Mickey Guyton and our Disc of the Day winner, “Younger Me” by Brothers Osborne. This is a stand-alone song with its own video, not a track from the Osbornes’ Skeleton. The clip is as moving as the live performance was.

Our DISCovery Award goes to the charming duo The Kentucky Gentlemen.

SIX GUN SALLY / “Drunk Text”
Writers: Daniel Rach/David Evan Barbe/Jeffrey Todd Thurston; Producer: none listed; Label: SGS
–Blue-collar country-rock, performed with raucous good vibes. There’s a bit of Skynyrd in their honky-tonking sound. Sweaty, gritty and beer soaked.

JOE NICHOLS / “Screened In”
Writers: Neil Thrasher/Anthony Jerome Martin; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones & Derek George; Label: Quartz Hill
–This stellar neo-traditionalist’s new single drops tomorrow. It’s a good-time banger about chillin’ with your pals. It goes without saying that his vocal performance is exemplary. And country to the core.

THE KENTUCKY GENTLEMEN / “Vibin’”
Writers: Brandon Campbell/Derek Campbell/Kyra Hunter/Laurin Hunter; Producer: none listed; Label: TKG
–Twin brothers Derek and Brandon Campbell hail from Versailles, KY. They made it onto CMT with the video for this tune, and it’s a solid winner. The groove is burbling and bubbling. The singing is sunny and sublime. It’s everything a hit needs to be, memorable, hooky and singable. Breezy is the vibe. Catchy is the bottom line.

AARON LEWIS / “Goodbye Town”
Writers: Aaron Lewis/Randy Montana; Producer: Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean & Ben Kitterman; Label: Valory
–A simple acoustic guitar strum kicks it off, framing his beautifully weathered baritone eloquently. Harmonica and dobro accents gently rise in the mix as he unspools a ballad of wistful departure. You can hear him breathing in the performance. I love this. We need his sound.

LUKE COMBS / “Doin’ This”
Writers: Drew Parker/Luke Combs/Robert Williford; Producer: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews & Jonathan Singleton; Label: River House / Columbia
–That “Amen” you might have heard when he introduced this song on the CMA telecast was the sound of every musician in the arena hearing themselves in the lyric. It was a moment of profound truth and beauty from a man who seems to brim with them. He moves me every time he opens his mouth. His heart is so huge, and their are few in the format who are as completely relatable. Our titanic Entertainer of the Year strikes once again. A masterpiece.

MICKEY GUYTON / “Love My Hair”
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Anna Krantz; Producer: Karen Kosowski; Label: Capitol
–As recently as five or ten years ago, it would have been unimaginable that a song about Black hair would be showcased on the CMA Awards. Gutsy Guyton is just the woman to do it. You’ll find the tune on her excellent CD Remember Her Name, alas without the terrific harmony vocals of Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards you heard on the telecast.

BROTHERS OSBORNE / “Younger Me”
Writers: Kendell Marvel/John Osborne/T.J. Osborne; Producer: John Osborne; Label: EMI
–There was a lot of love in the room at the CMA Awards, perhaps never more manifest than in the re-crowning of the Osbornes as Duo of the Year. “Love wins,” said T.J. succinctly. One of the most profoundly poignant moments on the CMA show was his performance of this song. It’s a gay adult singing to his younger self that, “It gets better.” The lyric is stunning; the throbbing tempo is thrilling, and he sings his face off. Country music for the ages. Check out the video with its images of inclusion.

BRANDI CARLILE / “This Time Tomorrow”
Writers: Brandi Carlile/Phil Hanseroth/Tim Hanseroth; Producer: Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings; Label: Elektra / Low Country Sound
–Nashville’s time in the network TV spotlight wasn’t limited to the CMA show. On Tuesday, this Americana star performed this lovely ballad on Stephen Colbert’s late-night telecast. Performed as a harmony trio with the Hanseroth twins, accompanied by acoustic guitars, it’s a goodbye to a loved one in the most kind and gentle way. This is one of the many gems on her current album In These Silent Days.

SAM WILLIAMS / “Snow Angels”
Writers: Sam Williams/Hillary Lindsey/Jonny Price; Producer: Paul Moak; Label: Mercury
–Williams brings a tender, nostalgic vocal to this wintery ballad of recollection. Strings provide a gorgeous billowing curtain behind his plaintive delivery. A simply exquisite recording.

ROSS COPPERMAN & CAM / “Everything Changes”
Writers: Ross Copperman/ROMANS/Steph Jones; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Photo Finish
–Heartbreak and loss have seldom sounded so pretty. They’re going their separate ways, resigned to the fact that they are simply too different as people. Copperman’s tenor is sweet and strong, but the thing really comes alive when Cam’s sensational voice chimes on harmonies and takes a verse on her own. Awesome listening.

NATALIE HEMBY / “It Takes One to Know One”
Writers: Natalie Hemby/Miranda Lambert; Producer: Mike Wrucke; Label: Fantasy
–Renowned a a powerhouse pop and country hit songwriter, Hemby’s sophomore album is Pins and Needles. As before, the Highwomen chanteuse channels Tom Petty as much as she does Sheryl Crow and Miranda on this emphasis track. It’s a funky little hip shaker with loads of verve.

From YEP Mixers To Guiding A Star In The Making: Meet Andrew Cohen [Interview]

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Andrew Cohen. Photo: Jason Myers

Andrew Cohen knew from a young age that he had a special interest in the business side of the music industry. After reading about Belmont University and eventually attending in 2008, he could’ve never guessed how his interest in tracking his favorite songs in Country Weekly would put him where he is now: the owner of Cohencidence Projects and managing one of the hottest rising country acts of 2021, Brittney Spencer.

Graduating from Belmont in 2009, Cohen spent his first year out of college trying to get his foot in the door of Nashville’s music business, including a four-month stint at a booking agency that wasn’t the right fit.

In 2011, Cohen co-founded YEP–Young Entertainment Professionals–which today acts as a critical, free tool for young jobseekers in the music industry to network and learn the business, as well as a resource for professional development. The organization held educational events and mixers with Cohen at the helm for nearly six years before his departure.

“YEP was based on me and my friends getting out of Belmont and being thrust into the industry with no safety net,” Cohen explains to MusicRow. “The day that the idea started, I was at Tin Roof with MaryAnn Keen [of BMI] and she mentioned somebody that I didn’t know. I was like, ‘How do I not know all of your friends? All we do is hang out in bars while we don’t have jobs. I should know people you know and you should know people I know.” So, the two co-founded YEP.

In October of 2011, Cohen got a job at Crush Management under John Grady‘s leadership. Over his five year tenure, Cohen became a jack of all trades. Starting off as a day-to-day manager for Kristen Kelly, Cohen worked with Striking Matches and Ashley Monroe during the week, while spending the weekends with Kelly on Brad Paisley‘s tour. Cohen also began running marketing for the management company’s Nashville office and eventually took on the marketing for Grady’s I.R.S. Records in 2013.

However, he missed being in the trenches with the artists. Cohen left to start up his own management company, which only lasted for a few years. Since then, he has found success consulting through his own Cohencidence Projects, and filling a special niche that he feels was missing in the artist’s toolbox.

Brittney Spencer and her team at UTA. Pictured (L-R): Emily Wright (UTA), Jeffrey Hasson (UTA), Brittney Spencer, Andrew Cohen (Cohencidence Projects)

“At first, it was mainly DSP promotion and helping independent artists land on playlists to get their music heard. I’ve worked on DSP promotion projects with Kameron Marlowe, Brandon Davis, and Andrew Jannakos, who we launched a song with that hit No. 12 on Billboard,” Cohen says. “I found a niche within the industry that was really needed to help artists get their music heard by editors at Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and Pandora.”

He continues, “It led me back into management. I ended up signing Andrew and Brittney last year and it’s been a wild year. It’s been really fun and I get to do my favorite part, which is being at the very beginning with an artist and helping to build a team.”

Of Cohencidence Projects, he says: “It’s built to be whatever iteration it needs to be for an artist. I’ve done management consulting where I’ve helped an artist [in a pseudo-manager role] over the years. He’s got a great head on his shoulders and he really knows what he wants to do. He just needed some help executing it from time to time and somebody to bounce ideas off of.” He adds, “For artists out there that really know how to work independently or don’t have the funds to have a manager yet, I help whoever needs it.”

Cohen’s biggest leap came with country newcomer Brittney Spencer, who just this year was named People Magazine‘s One to Watch, a 2021 Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch, a Pandora 2021 Artist to Watch, and is a member of CMT Next Women of Country. Just last night (Nov. 10) Spencer performed alongside Mickey Guyton and Madeline Edwards at the CMA Awards.

Having met Spencer six years ago at a YEP event, Cohen began working with the young act with DSP promotion for her 2020 Compassion EP. With each single release, the pair started to see better and better responses from the DSPs. After releasing her viral cover of The Highwomen‘s “Crowded Table,” and receiving a name drop from The Highwomen’s Maren Morris at the 2020 CMA Awards, Spencer and Cohen have seen a busy year full of collaborations, performances, and building out the right artist team.

Brittney Spencer & Andrew Cohen. Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Cohen

“This has been a massive year of growth and we’re starting to navigate what her team looks like as we roll into next year… We’re trying to surround her with the right people to help amplify everything we’re doing,” Cohen offers. “I’m still learning a ton as we go. Every artist is so drastically different with what they need and what their team looks like.”

He continues, “It seems like every two weeks something drops into Brittney’s world. Opportunities are showing up and we’re chasing them. Seeing her interact and build her community has been so cool. She’s out there making noise and there’s going to be a long career here, so I’m excited to be a part of it.” Cohen adds, “I’m very glad to be back on this side. If you have the right artists, the right music, and the right story to tell, I would much rather be in the trenches with the artists telling that story. Brittney’s got so much to tell and that’s where people are connecting with her story.”

While the world was navigating their way through a raging pandemic, Cohen and Spencer were grateful for the ability to slow down and focus on the creative aspects of her career rather than juggling the challenges of touring with it.

“There were some advantages to the remote world because it didn’t throw [going on] the road at these artists that were emerging right away.” Cohen elaborates, “It’s pretty intensive to get players and rehearsals, and to make sure everything’s ready. During the pandemic, we could just release music, do interviews, and she was writing a ton. We were in this creative space and she got to stay in that creative space rather than balance it all at the same time.

He adds: “It was a little bit of an advantage for it to marinate a little bit, and for us to really lean in on the writing side and build relationships with her team. She’s been building it out little by little, and it was nice to be able to do that with a little less urgency.”

Along the way, Cohen has had his fair share of people champion him, among them are some Nashville music business heavy hitters, such as Beth Laird, Jody Williams, and Leslie Roberts. He notes that Grady, his former boss, has been one of his biggest supporters and teachers throughout his career.

“He taught me everything I know about the business. He was so great about letting us get to know his contacts, which is something that I hope to do down the road. He opened up his Rolodex and said, ‘Those contacts are yours. The people I’ve built relationships with, you can build relationships with too.’”

CMA Awards Recap: Big Night For Stapleton, Combs, & Pearce, Among Others

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Pictured: Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson accept the Song of the Year award for “Starting Over” at The 55th Annual CMA Awards. Photo: John Russell/CMA

The Country Music Association returned to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Nov. 10) for its 55th Annual CMA Awards, after it was held for a limited audience at the Music City Center last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Luke Bryan for the first time, the evening was filled with several great performances, social statements, and lots of Chris Stapleton.

Bryan, a two-time Entertainer of the Year, kicked his first time hosting off with a monologue that included some shade for his lack of nominations this year, jokes over COVID protocols, praise to the Atlanta Braves for winning the World Series, and playful introductions for his friends in the audience. Throughout the night other stars—including fellow American Idol judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, as well as Lady A, Darius Rucker, Elle King, and more—appeared to “help” Bryan out with his new hosting gig.

Pictured (L-R): Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry. Photo: John Russell/CMA

Stapleton, who with Eric Church was the most nominated artist of the night with five each, made his way to the winner’s podium four times last night. His first win went to him and songwriter Mike Henderson for their hit “Starting Over” winning Song of the Year. Stapleton spoke a few words, then turned it to his co-writer Henderson, who “showed [Stapleton] how to write songs.” The country songwriter shared the honor with his songwriting mentors, Gary Nicholson, Wally Wilson, Kevin Welch, and John Hadley.

Stapleton then won Single of the Year for “Starting Over,” Album of the Year for his project of the same name, and Male Vocalist of the Year. By the time the powerful singer accepted his fourth award of the night, he had run out of things to say.

At one point in the night, Stapleton showed off why he’s a CMA favorite with a sultry performance of his “Cold.” The talented musician, backed by his band and a string section, gave a flawless performance. As usual, the audience ate it up. He also backed Jennifer Hudson for a stellar tribute to Aretha Franklin. The two world-class singers did a rendition of “Night Life,” a song originally written and recorded by Willie Nelson and later recorded by Franklin, followed by a duet of “You Are My Sunshine,” the Jimmie Davis-penned classic that both Franklin and Nelson also recorded.

In a moment where audience members and fans at home were holding their breath, actors Susan Sarandon and Trace Adkins, who are both playing in Jason Owen‘s budding TV show Monarch, presented most controversial award of the night, Album of the Year. After a long pause filled with screaming fans anticipating the winner, the two announced that Stapleton beat out Church’s Heart, Carly Pearce‘s 29, Brothers Osborne‘s Skeletons, and most notably, Morgan Wallen‘s blockbuster album Dangerous: The Double Album. Wallen was not invited to attend the CMA Awards because of an incident that occurred earlier this year when a video surfaced of the singer using a racial slur outside his Nashville home. Despite being barred from attending the show, he was eligible to be nominated for categories that honor artistic works (Single, Song, Album, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year categories).

“I want to say thank you to everyone who listened to the record,” Stapleton said of his album, Starting Over. “There was a lot of great records in this category.”

Pictured: Luke Combs accepts the Entertainer of the Year Award. Photo: Josh Brasted/CMA

The only award that Stapleton was nominated for and didn’t win, Entertainer of the Year, went to a first-time winner. Alan Jackson presented the night’s top honor. The Country Music Hall of Fame member said, “I can tell you from experience, when you stand up here and they call your name, it really brings you down to earth to realize all the great people who have come before you like Haggard and Jones, Charley Pride, Loretta, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and so many more.” He wasted no time pausing for dramatic effect when reading the winner’s name. Cheers abounded when he revealed that Luke Combs was the CMA Entertainer of the Year for the first time ever.

The artist was stunned. “I’m at a loss for words, Alan Jackson said my name…twice!

“I have never written a speech for something like this, which is not serving me very well right now. I just want to thank everybody in this room: the fans, every artist in this room,” Combs said. “I don’t deserve to win this, but I’m sure as hell glad I did. Thank y’all so much!” The young country star also debuted a brand new song last night, “Doin’ This,” which talked about what he would be doing if he wasn’t dominating the country charts.

Another first-time winner in their category, Carly Pearce took home Female Vocalist of the Year. Christian artists Amy Grant and Lauren Daigle presented the award to Pearce, and fellow nominee Ashley McBryde brought the emotional singer-songwriter up the stage. “There’s a lot of love, respect and admiration in this category,” McBryde said as Pearce gathered herself to speak.

“This is all I’ve ever wanted in the entire world,” Pearce said, thanking her team members before doubling over with emotion.

Pictured: Carly Pearce accepts the Female Vocalist of the Year Award. Photo: John Russell/CMA

Other top winners included Old Dominion, who won Vocal Group of the Year for the fourth time and performed their latest hit, “I Was On A Boat That Day.”

Brothers Osborne clinched Vocal Duo of the Year for the fourth time, as well. Brothers TJ and John Osborne walked up to a thunderous applause when accepting their award. “It’s been a crazy rollercoaster of a year in so many ways, especially for me emotionally,” said TJ, who came out as gay earlier this year. “To have you all support me, it really does feel like love wins tonight.” The crowd went wild for both TJ and John, who later performed their song inspired by TJ’s experience, “Younger Me.”

An emotional Jimmie Allen was awarded the New Artist of the Year award. “Five years ago I spent my last $100 and came to the CMA 50th to watch Charley Pride perform on stage. And I got to perform with him last year,” Allen remembered before listing off his thank you’s. He gave a special shout out to Ash Bowers, who signed him after 10 years of hard work. Later on Allen showed off his vocal talent and skillful dance moves with a performance of “Freedom Was A Highway.”

Some standout performances of the night included a medley of hits from Miranda Lambert, the birthday girl, who kicked the set off with “Kerosene.” The high-energy performance included flames shooting up behind her that harkened back to her 2005 CMA Awards performance of the same song. She also played snippets of “Mama’s Broken Heart,” “Bluebird,” “Little Red Wagon,” and “Gunpowder & Lead” as the audience rocked along to her ambush of hits.

Gal pals Pearce and McBryde sounded great on their new duet, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” and Thomas Rhett, clad in a flannel shirt and jeans, gave a sweet performance on his “Country Again.”

Pictured (L-R): Madeline Edwards, Mickey Guyton, and Brittney Spencer perform “Love My Hair.” Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

A young girl, Faith Fennidy, introduced Mickey Guyton‘s performance by letting the crowd know that Guyton’s ode to self-acceptance, “Love My Hair,” was inspired by Fennidy getting sent home from school because of her braids. “This next artist created this song to make sure girls like me feel seen and loved,” Fennidy said. “That’s how you turn something very painful into something very positive.”

Guyton was joined by Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards for the stunning performance. Guyton anchored the performance, while Spencer added gorgeous, honeyed melodies and Edwards lended her smokey, sultry voice for a stunning moment.

Musician of the Year, fiddle player Jenee Fleenor, backed country superstar Blake Shelton as he sang his rocking ditty about reincarnation, “Come Back As A Country Boy.” The CMA also awarded Sarah Michaud, PEOPLE Magazine’s Senior News Editor, with the 2021 CMA Media Achievement Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of print and internet journalists, columnists, authors, editors, television writers, producers and bookers and syndicated radio reporters in the media as they relate to country music.

Nominees Kane Brown and Chris Young preformed their infectious hit “Famous Friends” as yearbook photos of country hitmakers appeared on the screen behind the stars.

Overall, the night celebrated country music, its growing commitment to acceptance, and its emergence from the hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. To view a full list of winners, click here.

2021 CMA Award Winners – Complete List

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Country artists and industry members gathered once again at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Nov. 10) for The 55th Annual CMA Awards.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s CMA Awards were held at Nashville’s Music City Center with only nominees and essential personnel in attendance. This year’s event, hosted by Luke Bryan, included a proper audience.

Eric Church and Chris Stapleton led the nominees with five each this year. Stapleton walked away with four wins (Song, Single, Album, and Male Vocalist of the Year).

The night’s top honor, Entertainer of the Year, went to Luke Combs. This was Combs’ first time winning the coveted award.

Other CMA Award winners included Carly Pearce, Brothers Osborne, Jimmie Allen, and Old Dominion.

Kelsea Ballerini won her first-ever CMA Award before the televised program, with her and nine-time CMA Award-winner Kenny Chesney taking home CMA Musical Event of the Year and CMA Music Video of the Year for their collaboration, “Half Of My Hometown.”

Click here to read MusicRow‘s full recap of the CMA Awards.

A full list of CMA Awards honorees is below (winners in RED):

Entertainer Of The Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood

Female Vocalist Of The Year
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce

Male Vocalist Of The Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

Vocal Group Of The Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo Of The Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae

New Artist Of The Year
Jimmie Allen
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Mickey Guyton
Hardy

Musician Of The Year
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Aaron Sterling – Drums
Ilya Toshinskiy – Banjo
Derek Wells – Guitar

Album Of The Year (Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s))
29 – Carly Pearce
– Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Jimmy Robbins
– Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
– Record Label: Big Machine Records

Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen
– Producers: Dave Cohen, Matt Dragstrem, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome and Joey Moi
– Mix Engineer: Joey Moi
– Record Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records

Heart – Eric Church
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall and Jay Joyce
– Record Label: EMI Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville

Skeletons – Brothers Osborne
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall and Jay Joyce
– Record Label: EMI Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville

Starting Over – Chris Stapleton
– Producers: Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton
– Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
– Record Label: Mercury Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville

Single Of The Year (Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s))
“Famous Friends” – Chris Young with Kane Brown
– Producers: Corey Crowder and Chris Young
– Mix Engineer: Sean Moffitt
– Record Label: RCA Nashville

“The Good Ones” – Gabby Barrett
– Producers: Ross Copperman and Zach Kale
– Mix Engineers: Chris Galland and Manny Marroquin
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

“Hell Of A View” – Eric Church
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall and Jay Joyce
– Record Label: EMI Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville

“One Night Standards” – Ashley McBryde
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Mix Engineers: Jason Hall and Jay Joyce
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

“Starting Over” – Chris Stapleton
– Producers: Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton
– Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
– Record Label: Mercury Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville

Song Of The Year (Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“Forever After All”
– Songwriters: Luke Combs, Drew Parker, Robert Williford

“The Good Ones”
– Songwriters: Gabby Barrett, Zach Kale, Emily Landis, Jim McCormick

“Hell Of A View”
– Songwriters: Casey Beathard, Eric Church, Monty Criswell

“One Night Standards”
– Songwriters: Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde

“Starting Over”
– Songwriters: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton

Musical Event Of The Year (Award goes to Artist(s) and Producer(s))
“Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan
– Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
– Record Label: MCA Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville

“Chasing After You” – Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris
– Producers: Aaron Eshuis and Teddy Reimer
– Record Label: Arista Nashville

“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” – Elle King & Miranda Lambert
– Producer: Martin Johnson
– Record Label: RCA Records / Columbia Nashville

“Famous Friends” – Chris Young with Kane Brown
– Producers: Corey Crowder and Chris Young
– Record Label: RCA Nashville

“Half Of My Hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
– Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins
– Record Label: Black River Entertainment

Music Video Of The Year (Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s))
“Chasing After You” – Ryan Hurd with Maren Morris
– Director: TK McKamy

“Famous Friends” – Chris Young with Kane Brown
– Director: Peter Zavadil

“Gone” – Dierks Bentley
– Directors: Wes Edwards, Travis Nicholson, Ed Pryor, Running Bear and Sam Siske

“Half Of My Hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (featuring Kenny Chesney)
– Director: Patrick Tracy

“Younger Me” – Brothers Osborne
– Director: Reid Long

Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney Earn Early 2021 CMA Award Wins

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Kelsea Ballerini, Kenny Chesney

Early winners for The 55th Annual CMA Awards have been revealed in two categories. First-time CMA Awards winner Kelsea Ballerini and nine-time CMA Awards winner Kenny Chesney take home two trophies for their collaboration, “Half Of My Hometown.”

Produced by Ballerini, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins, “Half Of My Hometown” has won the award for CMA Musical Event of the Year and CMA Music Video of the Year. The video was directed by Patrick Tracy.

Since its release, the Gold-certified track, written by Ballerini, Copperman, Robbins, Nicolle Galyon and Shane McAnally, has garnered over 90 million streams and is currently in the top 20 at country radio. “Half Of My Hometown” is currently at No. 14 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 19 on the Hot Country Songs Chart.

Ballerini says: “I’m so proud that my first two CMAs are for a song that represents my roots and also celebrates the dream that made me leave to chase it down. I remember growing up in Knoxville watching the CMAs… So this feels surreal and special to share this with so many of my songwriting friends, and my hometown hero Kenny Chesney. I can’t think of a better moment to keep on my shelf forever.”

“Growing up in East Tennessee, it’s a deeper kind of home. You have to have lived it to really understand,” adds Chesney. “Kelsea knows that, knows how hard it is to leave to chase a dream like music. It’s what made being part of “half of my hometown” so special! I know that feeling of everyone having an opinion, hating leaving all that love and needing to go out and find your place in the songs.”

This year’s CMA Awards will feature 20 performances from some of the biggest names in music, including Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood, Gabby Barrett, Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton feat. Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, and more.

Also on tap is a star-studded list of presenters such as Trace Adkins, Ingrid Andress, Deana Carter, Lauren Daigle, Russell Dickerson, Amy Grant, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Lady A, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson, and Trisha Yearwood, among others. The night will be hosted by Luke Bryan.

The 55th Annual CMA Awards will air live tonight (Nov. 10) on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 7:00 p.m. CT.

Hang Your Hat Music Inks Publishing Deal With Cary Barlowe

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Cary Barlowe

Hang Your Hat Music, a creative joint venture with Concord Music Publishing founded by two-time ACM Songwriter of the Year Hillary Lindsey, has signed Cary Barlowe to a worldwide publishing deal. The agreement includes Barlowe’s future works.

Originally from North Carolina, Barlowe started his music career as a member of the Rick Rubin-produced rock band, Luna Halo. He has written nine No. 1 songs in the contemporary Christian music format—three of which earned him Grammy nominations for Contemporary/Gospel Song Of The Year.

His first dip into country music came with Taylor Swift’s “Untouchable” from her 2008 multi-Platinum album Fearless. He has since scored five No. 1 songs on country radio, including Lady A’s “American Honey,” Dustin Lynch’s “Where It’s At,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze,” Billy Currington’s “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” and “Famous Friends” recorded by Chris Young and Kane Brown. Barlowe has also had cuts with Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Chris Lane, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Martina McBride, Steven Tyler, Jimmie Allen, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and more.

He has also seen success as a session musician with credits on hits for Carrie Underwood, TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, and Chris Young.

“Cary’s multi-faceted talents make him a publisher’s dream,” says Jake Gear, GM at Hang Your Hat Music. “He’s a musical ‘swiss army knife.’ His ability to topline hits across multiple genres, produce demos and tracks, be a session grade multi-instrumentalist, all in addition to his energy and personality make him an asset to any writing room. I couldn’t be more stoked to get to work with him!”

“We are incredibly fired up to welcome Cary to the Concord and Hang Your Hat team!” adds Brad Kennard, Sr. VP A&R at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville. “Cary’s a hit songwriter with the unique ability to bring top-level writing, production, and musicianship to any session. A true triple threat. On top of that, he brings the best passion and energy wherever he goes. He’s just universally loved.”

“I’m so excited and thankful for the next chapter in my musical journey,” Barlowe shares. “To have Hillary and Jake on my side, I know I am in good hands! Also, to have the amazing staff at Concord behind me is huge. Can’t wait to get to work and for what’s ahead of us together as a team.”

Barlowe is Hang Your Hat Music’s fourth signing since its 2020 debut. Ben Chapman, Chris La Corte, and Meg McRee compose the rest of the venture’s roster.