DISClaimer Single Reviews: Billy Currington Takes Listeners ‘Beyond The Reef’

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It’s “baby acts” day in country music for this edition of DISClaimer.

Colby Acuff, Neon Union, Kylie Morgan, Randall King, Track45 and HuneyFire are all looking to take the next step up in their careers. But they’ll have to get by such established hitmakers as Reba McEntire, Maddie & Tae and our Disc of the Day winner, Billy Currington.

I can’t wait for you to hear this week’s DISCovery Award winner. It goes to Taylor Goyette for his crazy-good, marvelously creative “Show Goes On.”

TAYLOR GOYETTE / “Show Goes On”
Writers: Taylor Goyette/Joe Haydel/John Caldwell/Mark Addison Chandler; Producer: John Caldwell; Label: TG
– This is an uber-cool sound. There’s a funky stomp beat going on and off-kilter carnival audio beneath a raspy folk-soul vocal. The lyric is jam packed with vivid, doomsday, breaking-news imagery. Whoever this guy is, I’m a fan. So are some other folks, because this is blowing up on iTunes Country. 

BILLY CURRINGTON / “Anchor Man”
Writers: Paul Overstreet/Scotty Emerick; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Wistful and yearning. It will take you out beyond the reef onto the open sea with a breeze in your face. The song’s protagonist is a former news anchor who has chucked it all to ignore headlines and deadlines and spend his days fishing. It wasn’t intended as such, but it kinda sounds like an audio homage to the late and much mourned Jimmy Buffett. 

TANNER USREY / “Who I Am”
Writers: none listed; Producer: Beau Bedford; Label: Atlantic Records
– The production rocks nicely. The singing has urgency and force. The song and its unattractive lyric do nothing for me.

MADDIE & TAE / “Heart They Didn’t Break”
Writers: Ryan Beaver/Benjy Davis/Anna Vaus; Producer: Corey Crowder; Label: Mercury Nashville
– As usual, their vocal harmonies are perfection. The song about friendship carrying you through heartbreak has power and truth. I have always loved these ladies. 

RANDALL KING / “The One You’re Waiting On”
Writers: Adam Wright/Shannon Wright; Producers: Randall King/Jared Conrad; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– King remains one of my very favorite current country singers. And I do mean country, not warmed-over ’70s rock. This man stands proudly in the tradition of Keith Whitley, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson and Merle Haggard. On this gentle barroom ballad, he winningly wishes he were the object of her affection. It pushes every honky-tonk button on the jukebox of your heart. 

KENDALL TUCKER, JELLY ROLL & STATE OF MINE / “Dragging Me Down”
Writers: Kendall Tucker/Jason DeFord/Randy Foucha; Producers: Bernard James Perry/John A. Pregler; Label: KT
– Tucker is a white rapper and State of Mine is a rock band. In this audio battle between genres, rock wins and country never even fires a shot. 

HUNEYFIRE / “Breaking Necks”
Writers: Cheaza Figueroa/Marriana Nevarez-Barlow/Jason Pennock; Producers: Cheaza Figueroa/Jason Pennock; Label: HF
– This mother-daughter, Afro-Latino country duo returns with a strutting, sassy, empowering outing. The reason she’s “breaking necks” is because when she walks by, the boys snap their heads around. Flirty fun. By the way, Figueroa’s mother was an Ikette, and Nevarez-Barlow’s dad was in All-4-One. 

NEON UNION / “This Side of the Dirt”
Writers: Hunter Phelps/Nicollette Hayford/Ben Johnson/Jerry Flowers; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Red Street Records
– Rousing and energetic, this ditty says you should live every day by loving your special someone like it’s your last day on earth. The tracks rocks and the men sing heartily. Good to see that this duo are still in there swinging for the fences. 

REBA McENTIRE / “Till You Love Me (Acoustic Version)”
Writers: Gary Burr/Bob DiPiero; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: MCA Nashville
– For her new Not That Fancy collection, McEntire teamed with producer Dave Cobb to record stripped-down versions of some of her best hits. Its lead track selects one of the most gorgeous melodies she’s ever sung and presents it to you in the throat of one of our greatest vocalists ever. Worthy to polish the reputation of this Country Music Hall of Fame member to a brilliant new shine. 

TRACK45 / “Drinkin and Thinkin”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Ashley Gorley/Hunter Phelps/Michael Hardy; Producers: Track45/Jason Hall; Label: Stoney Creek Records
– Caught in a dangerous whirlpool of heartbreak. The sibling trio’s harmonies are chiming amid a churning, blasting track that makes trying to drink away his memory sound like a dangerous proposition. Extremely well done. 

COLBY ACUFF / “Movin'”
Writers: Colby Acuff/Ben Roberts/Ben Chapman; Producer: Eddie Spear; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Strummy and jaunty, this is a super dandy road song. Acuff’s boyish country tenor exudes optimism, promise and better days. The fiddler saws away in upbeat sympathy. Extremely listenable. 

KYLIE MORGAN / “Making It Up As I Go”
Writers: Kylie Morgan/KK Johnson/Jordan Minton; Producer: KK Johnson; Label: EMI Nashville
– Winsome and winning. When do you ever really feel grown up? Probably never, says Morgan, and we can all relate to that. “Gettin’ older don’t make you wiser,” she sings. Can I get an “Amen?” Sweetly pensive with a thumpy backbeat. 

THE WAR AND TREATY / “Stretch Out”
Writers: Michael Trotter Jr./Tanya Trotter/Joel Taylor; Producer: Joel Taylor; Label: UMG Nashville
– There are lots of open spaces in the percussive track. When you’re dealing with singers this powerful, that’s a very, very good thing since it gives them room to emote. Or, rather, to “stretch out.” A dynamic change of pace. 

Eric Church, Miranda Lambert & Morgan Wallen To Headline Stagecoach Festival 2024

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Pictured (L-R): Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen

Stagecoach announced its 2024 lineup with headline performances from country superstars Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Morgan Wallen on April 26-28, 2024.

Post Malone (performing a set of country covers) also joins the lineup with Jelly Roll, Hardy, Willie Nelson & Family, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman, Leon Bridges, Dwight Yoakam, The Beach Boys, Elle King, and more. The festival will see iconic late-night performances by Stagecoach mainstay Diplo with newcomers Wiz Khalifa and Nickelback.

“I can’t wait to get back to the desert to play Stagecoach in 2024. It’s going to be one hell of a party,” says Church.

Lambert shares, “There is something so special about playing music when the sun goes down in the middle of the desert. The fans, the setup, the location— there really is no other festival like it. My band and I have had the chance to experience the magic that is Stagecoach a few times now, and we can’t wait to be back in 2024!”

“Stagecoach is such a legendary festival, and I am honored to be headlining the final night,” says Wallen. “I have so many friends who never miss it and I know this will be a monumental weekend for all of us. Can’t wait to see everybody there.”

Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse will come back again for its fifth year to reveal new chefs, pit bosses and BBQ vendors. Fieri and friends will be showcasing their pits and rigs and offering taste tests to fans throughout the weekend. The lineup for food vendors and artist cooking demos lineup will be announced at a later date.

Returning to the festival for a third consecutive year are California’s homegrown, Compton Cowboys. They are a crew of ten Black horseback riders whose ranch is one of the very last in a semi-rural town in Compton called Richland Farms. They are bringing their horses to Stagecoach to tell their compelling story of community engagement and share in the experience.

The Stagecoach 2024 lineup will be highlighted on SiriusXM’s The Highway in an interview with SiriusXM host Buzz Brainard featuring Jelly Roll and Stagecoach organizer Stacy Vee.

Stagecoach passes go on sale starting Friday, Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. PT. For more information, click here.

Nominees Announced For 57th Annual CMA Awards

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The final nominees for the 57th annual CMA Awards have been revealed. Lainey Wilson leads the list with nine nominations, becoming the only artist in CMA Awards history to top the nominations list in their first two appearances on final ballot.

Other top nominees include first-time nominee Jelly Roll with five nominations, while Luke Combs and Hardy collect four nominations each. Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, producer/mix engineer Joey Moi, songwriter/producer Jordan Schmidt, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and musician/producer Derek Wells secure three nominations a piece.

Vying for the night’s highest honor, reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Combs is nominated again in the category alongside Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Wallen and Wilson.

The 57th CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, will broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 8-11 p.m. ET on ABC.

First-time CMA Awards nominees include Jelly Roll, Mason Allen, Trannie Anderson, Renee Blair, Michael H. Brauer, Katelyn Brown, Zach Bryan, Tracy Chapman, Josh Ditty, David Fanning, Nicki Fletcher, Greylan James, Paul Jenkins, Gena Johnson, Chase McGill, Cameron Montgomery, Megan Moroney, Austin Nivarel, Eivind Nordland, John Osborne, Hunter Phelps, David Ray Stevens, Patrick Tohill, Alysa Vanderheym, The War And Treaty, Hailey Whitters, Ben Williams, Dallas Wilson and Charlie Worsham.

Winners of the 57th annual CMA Awards will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible CMA members. The third and Final Ballot will be emailed to CMA Professional members on Monday, Oct. 2. Voting for the CMA Awards Final Ballot ends Friday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. CT.

Final Nominees for the 57th annual CMA Awards are below:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
– Luke Combs
– Chris Stapleton
– Carrie Underwood
– Morgan Wallen
– Lainey Wilson

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– “Fast Car” – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
– “Heart Like A Truck” – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
– “Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll
Producer: Austin Nivarel
Mix Engineer: Jeff Braun
– “Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis
Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
– “Wait In The Truck” – Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
Mix Engineer: Joey Moi

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
– Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville – Ashley McBryde
Producers: John Osborne, John Peets
Mix Engineers: Gena Johnson, John Osborne
– Bell Bottom Country – Lainey Wilson
Producer: Jay Joyce
Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
– Gettin’ Old – Luke Combs
Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
Mix Engineers: Michael H. Brauer, Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews
– One Thing At A Time – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery
Mix Engineers: Josh Ditty, Joey Moi, Eivind Nordland
– Rolling Up the Welcome Mat – Kelsea Ballerini
Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym
Mix Engineers: Dan Grech-Marguerat, Alysa Vanderheym

SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
– “Fast Car”
Songwriter: Tracy Chapman
– “Heart Like A Truck”
Songwriters: Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Lainey Wilson
– “Next Thing You Know”
Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Greylan James, Chase McGill, Josh Osborne
– “Tennessee Orange”
Songwriters: David Fanning, Paul Jenkins, Megan Moroney, Ben Williams
– “Wait In The Truck”
Songwriters: Renee Blair, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Kelsea Ballerini
– Miranda Lambert
– Ashley McBryde
– Carly Pearce
– Lainey Wilson

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Luke Combs
– Jelly Roll
– Cody Johnson
– Chris Stapleton
– Morgan Wallen

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
– Maddie & Tae
– The War And Treaty

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
– “Save Me” – Jelly Roll (with Lainey Wilson)
Producers: Zach Crowell, David Ray Stevens
– “She Had Me At Heads Carolina (Remix)” – Cole Swindell & Jo Dee Messina
Producer: Zach Crowell
– “Thank God” – Kane Brown (with Katelyn Brown)
Producer: Dann Huff
– “Wait In The Truck” – Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Producers: Hardy, Joey Moi, Jordan Schmidt, Derek Wells
– “We Don’t Fight Anymore” – Carly Pearce (featuring Chris Stapleton)
Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Carly Pearce

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
– Jenee Fleenor
– Paul Franklin
– Rob McNelley
– Derek Wells
– Charlie Worsham

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
– “Light On In The Kitchen” – Ashley McBryde
Director: Reid Long
– “Memory Lane” – Old Dominion
Directors: Mason Allen, Nicki Fletcher
– “Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll
Director: Patrick Tohill
– “Next Thing You Know” – Jordan Davis
Director: Running Bear
– “Wait In The Truck” – Hardy (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Director: Justin Clough

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Zach Bryan
– Jelly Roll
– Parker McCollum
– Megan Moroney
– Hailey Whitters

Finalists for the CMA Broadcast Awards were also announced today. The winners will be determined by a final round of judging this month. Entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions. The winners will be revealed in October and recipients will be honored at the CMA Awards.

2023 CMA Broadcast Awards – Finalists For Broadcast Personality Of The Year (by market size):

Weekly National
– American Country Countdown (Kix Brooks) – Cumulus/Westwood One
– Country Countdown USA (Lon Helton) – Compass Media Networks
– Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence (Tracy Lawrence and Patrick Thomas) – Silverfish Media
– On The Horizon with Buzz Brainard (Buzz Brainard) – SiriusXM
– Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton (Kelly Sutton) – Firefly Media/Silverfish Media

Daily National
– Angie Ward – iHeartMedia
– The Big D and Bubba Show (Derek “Big D” Haskins, Sean “Bubba” Powell, Patrick Thomas, and Carsen Humphreville) – Silverfish Media
– Katie & Company (Katie Neal) – Audacy
– Nights with Elaina (Elaina Smith) – Westwood One
– The Sam Alex Show (Sam Alex) – Sam Alex Productions, LLC

Major Market
– Chris Carr & Company (Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and Sam Sansevere) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
– Frito & Katy (Tucker “Frito” Young and Katy Dempsey) – KCYY, San Antonio, Texas
– Hawkeye in the Morning with Hawkeye and Michelle (“Hawkeye” Mark Louis Rybczyk and Michelle Rodriguez) – KSCS, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
– Josh, Rachael & Grunwald (Josh Holleman, Rachael Hunter, and Steve Grunwald) – WYCD, Detroit, Mich.
– Scotty Kay (Scotty Kay) – WUSN, Chicago, Ill.

Large Market
– The Big Dave Show (“Big Dave” Chandler, Ashley Heiert, and Jason “Stattman” Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
– The Morning Drive with Mike Kellar and Jenny Matthews (Mike Kellar and Jenny Matthews) – KBEQ, Kansas City, Missouri
– Scott and Shannen (Scott Dolphin and “Shannen O” Oesterreich) – WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, Wisconsin
– Tim & Chelsea In The Morning (Tim Leary and Chelsea Taylor) – WIRK, West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Florida
– The Wayne D Show (“Wayne D” Danielson and Tay Hamilton) – WSIX, Nashville, Tennessee

Medium Market
– Cait & Bradley Morning Show (Cait Fisher and Matt Bradley) – KWEN, Tulsa, Oklahoma
– Clay & Company (Clay Moden, Rob Banks, and Kadie Daye) – WYRK, Buffalo-Niagara Falls, New York
– Ellis and Bradley Show (Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley) – WSSL, Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina
– Mo & StyckMan (Melissa “Mo” Wagner and Greg “StyckMan” Owens) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tennessee
– Steve & Gina In The Morning (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha-Council Bluffs, Nebraska-Iowa

Small Market
– The B100 Morning Show with Brittney Baily (Brittney Baily) – WBYT, South Bend, Indiana
– The Eddie Foxx Show (Eddie Foxx and Amanda Foxx) – WKSF, Asheville, North Carolina
– Officer Don & DeAnn (“Officer Don” Evans and DeAnn Stephens) – WBUL, Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
– Steve & Tiffany in the Morning (Steve Waters and Tiffany Kay) – WFLS, Fredericksburg, Virginia
– Steve, Ben and Nikki (Steve Stroud, Ben Walker, and Nikki Thomas) – WXBQ, Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia

2023 CMA Broadcast Awards – Finalists For Radio Station Of The Year (by market size):

Major Market
KCYY – San Antonio, Texas
KEEY – Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
KKBQ – Houston, Texas
KSCS – Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
WXTU – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Large Market
WIRK – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Florida
WKDF – Nashville, Tennessee
WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wisconsin
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA – Orlando, Florida

Medium Market
KUZZ – Bakersfield, California
KXKT – Omaha-Council Bluffs, Nebraska-Iowa
WGGY – Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Pennsylvania
WPCV – Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida
WQMX – Akron, Ohio

Small Market
KCLR – Columbia, Missouri
WBYT – South Bend, Indiana
WKML – Fayetteville, North Carolina
WXBQ – Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia
WYCT – Pensacola, Florida

Darius Rucker, Don McLean, Duane Eddy & Joe Galante Going To Music City Walk Of Fame

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Pictured (clockwise): Darius Rucker, Don McLean, Joe Galante, Duane Eddy

Four more stars will be added to the Music City Walk of Fame this fall when three-time Grammy Award-winner Darius Rucker, Don McLean of “American Pie” fame, rock and roll guitarist Duane Eddy and former record-label executive Joe Galante are inducted.

The induction ceremony will bestow the 101st, 102nd, 103rd and 104th stars on the Music City Walk of Fame. Inductees are recognized for their significant work of preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song.

The induction ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. at Music City Walk of Fame Park. Members of the public are invited to view the ceremony.

“This exceptional inductee class for the Music City Walk of Fame embody iconic moments in the history of music—from Darius Rucker’s rendition of “Wagon Wheel” to Don McLean’s classic “American Pie” to the distinctive twang of Duane Eddy’s guitar,” says Ken Levitan, Chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Board of Directors and Founder and Co-President of Vector Management. “Nashville’s music industry would not be the dominant force it is today without Joe Galante, who solidified country as a leading genre in the record industry and who continues to nurture the next generation of music leaders through tech startups and entrepreneur programs.”

“Darius, Don, and Duane have not only given us the gift of their music and inspired new generations of musicians, but they have also given back generously over their career to important causes that matter to all of us” adds Cesar Gueikian, President and CEO of Gibson Brands. “Joe has broken boundaries all throughout his career, developed some of the most iconic country artists of all time, and is a driving force in our community. All of us at Gibson are proud to join Music City Walk of Fame in honoring Darius, Don, Duane and Joe.”

Professional wrestler Ric Flair will be in attendance to induct Rucker. Connie Valens, the sister of the late Ritchie Valens whose death was immortalized in “American Pie,” will present McLean. Grammy Award-winner and Music City Walk of Fame member Steve Wariner will induct Eddy. Vince Gill, 22-time Grammy Award winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Music City Walk of Fame, will induct Galante.

On The Cover: Jelly Roll Featured On 2023 MusicRow Awards Issue Cover

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Nashville’s leading music industry publication, MusicRow Magazine, has released its 2023 MusicRow Awards print issue, which highlights this year’s MusicRow Awards nominees in a range of categories, including Producer of the Year, Label Group of the Year, Talent Agency of the Year, Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year, Male Songwriter of the Year, Female Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Discovery Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Group/Duo Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

The winners for the 35th annual MusicRow Awards will be announced virtually among multiple MusicRow platforms on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Presenting Sponsor of the 2023 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank. This print issue also honors the Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Awards, which will also be announced on Sept. 12, recognizing the studio players who played on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Albums Chart during the eligibility period.

“Now in its 35th year, the MusicRow Awards are Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors and celebrate the achievements of songwriters, artists, producers and more,” says MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. “With awards selected by insiders in the industry, it’s these nods from peers, who know first-hand what it takes to get to that level, that serve as a well-deserved pat on the back and recognition for a job well done.”

Stoney Creek Records’ genre-blending artist Jelly Roll graces the cover of the 2023 MusicRow Awards print issue.

Entertainment phenomenon singer-songwriter Jelly Roll independently built a remarkable career, under the radar and on his own terms. Since his days selling his mixtapes out of his car, he has been constantly releasing new music, touring relentlessly, consistently topping various charts, engaging a rabid fanbase and creating videos that have amassed more than four billion views on YouTube. He pairs deeply personal lyrics with music to create a sound that is therapeutic, raw and tackles the heaviness of life: Real Music for Real People With Real Problems.

Jelly Roll released his debut country project, Whitsitt Chapel, in June of 2023. It became the largest country debut album in Billboard Consumption chart history–earning the singer-songwriter another milestone after he topped Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart for more than 28 weeks, the longest reign for an artist in the chart’s existence. Jelly co-wrote all 13 tracks on the album, including his breakthrough viral single “Save Me”—a confessional, vulnerable expression of self-doubt—which has earned RIAA Platinum certification, as well as his multi-week chart-topping single, “Need A Favor.”

Born and raised in Nashville’s Antioch neighborhood, the former drug addict and dealer draws from his personal experiences to tell the story of a man who has been through the ringer and isn’t afraid to share his raw truth. The three-time CMT Award winning artist has had a history-making “breakthrough year” (American Songwriter), selling out the Ryman Auditorium as well as his hometown’s Bridgestone Arena, which he filled with over 18,000 fans, earning two No. 1s at country radio and multi-week hits at rock radio simultaneously, launching his 44-date arena “Background Baptism Tour,” and releasing an all-access documentary of his life at home and on the road, Jelly Roll: Save Me, on Hulu.

The 2023 MusicRow Awards print issue also delves into the sales, streaming and social media impact that major country music awards shows have on an artist’s career, and highlights the upcoming inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards.

In this issue, Lainey Wilson looks back on the past two years after receiving her first industry award—a MusicRow Award in 2021. The MusicRow Awards print issue also contains an informative roundup of all the awards applicable to the Nashville music industry.

Single copies of the 2023 MusicRow Awards print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $20, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

Remembering ‘Margaritaville’ Mogul Jimmy Buffett

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Jimmy Buffett. Photo: Julie Skarratt

Jimmy Buffett, one of the biggest pop icons Music City ever produced, died Friday night (Sept. 1) at age 76.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member parlayed his good-time, beach-bum persona into a business empire encompassing restaurants, hotels, resorts, bars, casinos, clothing, packaged food, spirits, books, outdoor furniture, home goods and merchandise. Much of it was branded “Margaritaville,” after the 1977 pop and country hit that was his signature song.

Despite its fame and inclusion in the Grammy Hall of Fame, “Margaritaville” was not Buffett’s biggest hit. “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” a 2003 duet with Alan Jackson, topped the country hit parade and remained at No. 1 for eight weeks. He also scored a No. 1 country hit with 2011’s “Knee Deep,” a collaboration with the Zac Brown Band.

But Buffett’s career was not defined by hit records. Rather, it rested on his phenomenally successful concert tours. At his shows, throngs of fans wearing Hawaiian shirts and/or shark-fin hats tossed beach balls and sang along to songs that were never radio favorites. These perennially faithful devotees were dubbed “Parrotheads.”

Born on Christmas Day in 1946, Buffett was raised in Mobile, Alabama. He began playing guitar as a college student at Auburn University and was soon playing folk clubs. In 1969, Buffett moved to Nashville. He became a reporter at Billboard magazine while peddling his songs on Music Row. His big scoop as a journalist was breaking the news that Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs were dissolving their bluegrass act. In 1971, he became the first artist to play the new Exit/In nightclub.

 

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After recording two failed albums in Music City in 1970-71, Buffett accepted Jerry Jeff Walker’s invitation to come to Florida. The two became buskers on the streets of Key West, and Buffett decided to stay there. He returned to Nashville to record 1973’s A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean and 1974’s Living and Dying in 3/4 Time. The latter contained “Come Monday,” his first pop hit.

“I was sort of a pioneer,” he observed. “I guess I was one of the few pop acts that came outta here. And I’m not a crossover act [from country music]. I’m my own thing.”

Between 1970 and 1985, Jimmy Buffett recorded 13 albums in Nashville. In 1975, he formed his Coral Reefers Band. Over the years, the group included such Nashvillians as Josh Leo, Mac McAnally, Vince Melamed and Tim Krekel with Marshall Chapman, Bergen White, Buzz Cason, Shane Keister, Kenny Buttrey, Reggie Young, Randy Goodrum and various other Nashvillians along for the ride at various shows. Music Row’s Don Light was Buffett’s first manager.

By the mid 1970s, the entertainer had developed his musical niche purveying island escapism and Caribbean sunshine. Working with Nashville producers Don Gant, Norbert Putnman, Jimmy Bowen and Tony Brown, as well as McAnally, Buffett issued a string of Platinum-selling albums that celebrated Boats, Beaches, Bars and Ballads, as the title of his Quadruple Platinum boxed set put it.

In 1983, he performed at Nashville’s Fan Fair country festival. The following year, he moved his song-publishing business to Nashville. So the income from “Volcano,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Why Don’t We Get Drunk (and Screw),” “Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Latitude,” “Fins,” “Son of a Son of a Sailor,” “Coconut Telegraph,” “One Particular Harbor” and the rest of his catalog was managed by Cason’s Southern Writers Group. Buffett’s songs have been recorded by such country stars as Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Tompall & The Glaser Brothers, Willie Nelson, Clint Black, Lefty Frizzell and Crystal Gayle.

“Nashville is the last place where a good melody and a good lyric are appreciated and can be a commercial success,” he said. “I’ve always maintained close friendships with everyone I’ve been involved with in Nashville… I have a lot of roots here and made a lot of records here over the years.”

In 1991, he bought a home in Music City. Then, beginning in 1992, Music Row became the home of his record labels, Margaritaville Records and Mailboat Records.

His songs appeared on the soundtracks of the films Rancho Deluxe, FM, Goin’ West, Summer Rental, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Urban Cowboy. He did cameo appearances in a number of movies and had a recurring role as a helicopter pilot on TV’s Hawaii Five-O in 2011-2020.

His books have all made the New York Times best-sellers lists. They have included Tales From Margaritaville (short stories), Where Is Joe Merchant (a novel), A Pirate Looks at Fifty (a memoir) and A Salty Piece of Land (a novel). Buffett also wrote two musicals and two children’s books.

He co-owned two minor-league baseball teams and three retirement communities. He had his own cannabis brand, as well as a video game. He owned luxury real estate in five states. According to Forbes, he was worth more than $1 billion.

In 1993, Jimmy Buffett played the Tennessee Ball at the Bill Clinton inauguration. A lifelong Democrat, he campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016. He was an avid supporter of nature conservation. Buffett was a major donor to the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory, and in 1987 he’d lobbied for the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act.

Back in Nashville, he recorded a 1999 duet version of “Margaritaville” with Alan Jackson, which returned him to the country charts. In 2003, he won his first music-industry honor, a CMA Award for the team’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” The CMA also nominated him for 2004’s “Hey Good Lookin,” a collaboration with Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Toby Keith and Jackson. Buffett’s ties to Music City were underscored in 2004 when he returned to town for his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

That is the same year that he resumed recording in Nashville. His album License to Chill on his Mailboat label, featured collaborations with Clint Black, Nanci Griffith and Bill Withers, as well as Strait, Chesney, Keith and Jackson. The collection hit No.1 on the country charts, and its “Trip Around the Sun” duet with Martina McBride became a top-20 country hit.

“This is where I belong,” he decided. “I don’t think I’ve changed that much, but Nashville sure has….There’s more room for versatility than there ever was before, more room to fluctuate musically than in any other form of music….All kinds of people are coming back into this town, from musicians to producers to writers.

“All I’m doing is following my market. I am as old as the people who like me….Finally, it’s gotten to the point where people don’t ask me what it is that I play anymore. They say I’m uncategorized; and to that I say, ‘Thank you.’

“I don’t care what you call it, it’s still folk. I don’t want to give up my acoustic guitar. We’re folky, but you can call it anything you want to.”

Youtube video

In 2005, his Songs You Know By Heart greatest-hits collection was certified by the RIAA for sales of seven million copies. In 2006-20, he issued five more studio albums. There is reportedly a sixth, tentatively titled Equal Strain on All Parts, that has yet to be released. He continued to tour and perform, almost to the end of his life. His last appearance was on July 2 at a McAnally show in Rhode Island.

In late August, Jimmy Buffett entered hospice care. He had an aggressive form of skin cancer and died of its complications at his waterfront estate in Sag Harbor on Long Island. According to his website and social media, he was “surrounded by family, friends, music and his dogs.

“He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

Jimmy Buffett is survived by his wife Jane, son Cameron Marley, daughters Savannah Jane and Sarah Delaney, two grandchildren and two sisters. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

The family has asked that donations be made in his name to the foundation Singing for Change, to Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, both in Boston, and to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Mark Your Calendar—September 2023

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Single/Track Release Dates: 

September 1 
Colt Ford & Krizz Kaliko/Big Yeah/Average Joes Entertainment
Riley Green/Damn Country Music/BMLG Records
Parmalee/Boyfriend/Stoney Creek Records
Kylie Morgan/Making It Up As I Go/EMI Records Nashville
Austin & Colin/Guilt Tippin’/BMG/BBR Music Group

September 5 
Jelly Roll/Save Me (with Lainey Wilson)/Stoney Creek Records
Pat Boone & Crystal Gayle/You and I/The Gold Label

September 6 
Wyatt Putman/Back Road Country Music (feat. Frank Foster)

September 8
Josh Mirenda/In A Beer/Average Joes Entertainment
Adam Warner/Boots in the Bed/ONErpm
Levi Hummon/Rock Bottom (feat. Sam Tinnesz)
Skip Ewing/Road Dog

September 14 
Julia Cole/Be The Whiskey

September 15 
Wade Bowen/Lovin’ Not Leavin’/Thirty Tigers
EmiSunshine and The Rain/The Boy I Never Loved/Little Blackbird Records
Matt Jordan/Steel Away the Night/ONErpm

September 18 
Lauren Alaina/Thicc As Thieves/Big Loud Records
Old Dominion/Can’t Break Up Now (with Megan Moroney)/Columbia Nashville
Ty Gregory/Easy Loving You/Ole Buster Music
American Blonde/A Man Like You

September 25 
Neon Union/This Side of the Dirt/Red Street Records
Luke Kelly/Front Porch Swing/General Records

September 29 
Sam Grow/Had It For A While/Average Joes Entertainment

 

Album/EP Release Dates: 

September 1 
Larry Fleet/Earned It/Big Loud Records
Brandon Davis/Life’s Too Short

September 8
Ashley McBryde/The Devil I Know/Warner Music Nashville
Josh Turner/Greatest Hits/MCA Nashville
Tyler Childers/Rustin’ In The Rain/Hickman Holler Records/RCA Records
Jon Langston/Heart On Ice/32 Bridge Entertainment/EMI Records Nashville
Reyna Roberts/Bad Girl Bible: Vol. 1/EMPIRE Nashville
Allison Russell/The Returner/Fantasy Records
Steep Canyon Rangers/Morning Shift 
Pat Boone/Country Jubilee/The Gold Label

September 15  
Willie Nelson/Bluegrass/Legacy Recordings
Dan + Shay/Bigger Houses/Warner Music Nashville
Brothers Osborne/Brothers Osborne/EMI Records Nashville
Travis Tritt/Country Chapel/Gaither Music Group
Alex Hall/Side Effect Of The Heart/Monument Records
Stephen Wilson Jr./Søn Of Dad/Big Loud Records
Tyler Booth/Keep It Real/Sony Music Nashville
Walker Montgomery/Work To Do/Clear Creek Productions
Voth/Memories Of You 
Jim Lauderdale & The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys/The Long And Lonesome Letting Go

September 22 
Carrie Underwood/Denim & Rhinestones (Deluxe Edition)/Capitol Records Nashville
Colbie Caillat/Along The Way/Blue Jean Baby Records
Parmalee/For You 2/Stoney Creek Records
Charles Wesley Godwin/Family Ties/Big Loud Records
Ben Goldsmith/The World Between My Ears/Sony Music Nashville
Brent Cobb/Southern Star/Ol’ Buddy Records/Thirty Tigers
Riley Clemmons/Church Pew/Capitol Christian Music Group
Buddy & Julie Miller/In The Throes/New West Records
Emily Ann Roberts/Can’t Hide Country 
The Dryes/Raisin’ Beers & Hallelujahs

September 29  
Thomas Rhett/20 Number Ones/The Valory Music Co.
Jason Isbell/Southeastern 10th Anniversary Edition/Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers
Boy Named Banjo/Dusk/Mercury Nashville
Tony Jackson/I’ve Got Songs To Sing/Bob Frank Distribution (BFD)/Audium Nashville
Charlotte Morris/Wild Child 
Jade Eagleson/Do It Anyway

 

Industry Events: 

September 12
MusicRow Awards (Online)

September 19 – 23
AmericanaFest

September 20
Americana Honors & Awards

September 23 – 24
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

September 26 
Nashville Songwriter Awards

September 26 – 30
IBMA World of Bluegrass

September 28 
People’s Choice Country Awards

Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That In A Small Town’ Tops MusicRow Radio Chart

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Jason Aldean‘s “Try That In A Small Town” is the No. 1 song on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart after 15 weeks on the chart.

Last month, the controversial song topped the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, marking Aldean’s first Hot 100 No. 1. Written by Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher, Tully Kennedy and Kurt Allison, “Try That In A Small Town” notched the largest digital sales week for a country song since Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” featuring Nelly, released in July of 2013.

“Try That In A Small Town” currently sits at No. 12 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 9 on the Mediabase chart.

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

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Walker Hayes Delivers Delightful ‘Hillbilly Earworm’

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Walker Hayes. Photo: Robert Chavers

The country music scene is rocking this week.

Blasting into the dog days of summer with tempo tunes are Dan + Shay, Robyn Ottolini, Justin Moore, Reyna Roberts, Breland and our Disc of the Day winner, Walker Hayes.

DISClaimer also has a Latin tinge this week thanks to contributions from Stephanie Urbina Jones and Andrea Vasquez, the latter of whom takes home the DISCovery Award.

CARRIE CUNNINGHAM / “Just Like”
Writers: Carrie Cunningham/Riley Roth; Producers: Carrie Cunningham/Scott Gerow; Label: Music City Melodies
– She calls it “disco country.” I don’t know about that, but along with the insistent R&B groove you get a cool, throaty alto vocalist with total confidence and a solid piece of songwriting. Nicely done.

WALKER HAYES / “Good With Me”
Writers: Walker Hayes/Shane McAnally/Scott Stepakoff; Producers: Walker Hayes/Joe Thibodeau; Label: Monument Records/RCA
– Just when you were wondering what happened to the “Fancy Like” guy, he’s back with a hillbilly earworm that is just as delightful. This ditty is one big grin from start to finish. I love that the verses touch on hot-button topics and the choruses toss ‘em all out the window to warble merrily about good times at the lake. A complete delight.

ANDREA VASQUEZ / “The Bed You Made”
Writers: Andrea Vasquez/Hayley Cardona/Emily Davis; Producer: Chris Condon; Label: AV
– Vasquez is a Song Suffragette who has built a local reputation for her showy club performances. The title tune of her album is a cautionary saga about the consequences of his cheating, delivered in a penetrating, powerful vocal. Promising.

DAN + SHAY / “We Should Get Married”
Writers: Dan Smyers/Jimmy Robbins/Ernest Keith Smith; Producers: Dan Smyers/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– The single remains the red-hot radio fave “Save Me the Trouble.” But in this new video and track, the duo steps out of their balladeer typecasting to show that they can lay down a zippy, dancefloor banger with the best of ‘em. A rampaging blast.

STEPHANIE URBINA JONES & WENDY MOTEN / “Rhinestone Cowgirl”
Writer: Larry Weiss; Producers: Stephanie Urbina Jones/Preston Sullivan; Label: Global Eyes Entertainment, LP /Casa Del Rio Records
– Jones and her Honky-Tonk Mariachi band give this Latina flavor. Time Jumpers member and The Voice runner-up Moten brings the vocal firepower. A female duet in country is rare, and this dandy update of the 1975 Glen Campbell classic makes you eager to hear more. Loved every minute.

BRELAND / “Cowboy Don’t”
Writers: Breland/Zachary Manno/Haleey Mae Campbell; Producers: Sam Sumser/Sean Small/Zachary Manno; Label: Bad Realm/Atlantic Records
– Buckle up. This one’s a thrilling ride. Cowboys will break your heart and treat you like a one-night stand, but Breland promises he won’t on this breakneck country rocker. I think I hear a hit.

BRYAN MARTIN / “We Ride”
Writers: Bryan Martin/Vernon Brown; Producer: Nick Gibbens; Label: Average Joes Entertainment
– This moody, midtempo track wears its southern-rock influence and blue-collar attitude with pride. Martin has a big social media following, and I’ll bet a whole lot of those followers are White, working-class men. This week, his career took a step forward with his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday evening.

BRIAN KELLEY / “Dirt Cheap”
Writers: Seth Ennis/Wyatt McCubbin/Andy Sheridan; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Big Machine Records
– Mellow, swaying and gently bopping. It’s an ode to country living, complete with green grass, tin-roof rain, fishing, praying, front-porch swinging, fresh air and a slower-paced lifestyle. Laid-back twang that’s smooth sailing all the way.

GHOST PARTY / “Yankee Reaper”
Writer: McCullough Ferguson; Producer: Steve Christensen; Label: Ghost Party
– It says here that they’re a “Texas psychedelic country band.” It sounds more like garage-country with guitar twang and steel playing in a deep well, plus a whispery lead singer buried in a muddy mix. A thrashing drummer keeps uptempo time. Perhaps “bizarre” is the word I’m looking for.

JUSTIN MOORE / “She’s Got Lovin’ On Her Mind”
Writers: Justin Moore/Brandon Kinney/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– It’s a country rocker with a naked hottie on its brain.

ROBYN OTTOLINI / “All My Friends Are Hot”
Writers: Robyn Ottolini/Emily Reid; Producer: Cameron Jaymes; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Aleu Records
– A boatload of fun. These gals are out for a par-tay, fellas. They are all babes who turn heads, tie tongues and get free drinks. The lyrics are clever as heck and the track rocks with gusto.

PAT BOONE & CRYSTAL GAYLE / “You and I”
Writer: Frank J. Myers; Producers: Jimmy Nichols/Frank J. Myers; Label: The Gold Label
– Boone was a 1950s pop star and teen heartthrob who is now releasing his first country album. He’s a Nashville native who married Red Foley’s daughter Shirley. She passed away in 2019, and this tune is dedicated to her. It’s a remake of the 1982 duet by Crystal Gayle and Eddie Rabbitt, and she recreates her harmony part here. The ballad’s languid production is awash in strings and steel.

REYNA ROBERTS / “Louisiana”
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Label: Empire Nashville
– Her debut country album drops a week from Friday. Titled Bad Girl Bible, it includes this rousing, strutting new single. Roberts is a take-charge lady who can deliver a tempo tune like nobody’s business.

UMG Nashville Promotes Vipin Reddy To VP Of Streaming

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Vipin Reddy. Photo: Chris Hollo

UMG Nashville has elevated Vipin Reddy to VP of Streaming. After joining the label group in 2018, Reddy now leads the department. In his new role, he oversees all DSP relationships as well as audio and video streaming strategy for all UMGN artists globally.

Prior to joining UMGN, Reddy was part of the UMG global streaming marketing team. The William & Mary graduate and Fairfax, Virginia native has cultivated strong relationships with UMGN streaming partners and most recently was point on UMGN artist strategy with Apple Music and Pandora.

“From the day he joined the company, Vipin has been an integral part of the streaming team,” says UMGN EVP & COO Mike Harris. “His deep knowledge of the streaming business has been vital to UMG Nashville’s success. We are excited for Vipin step into this leadership role and look forward to the team’s continued success.”

Under Universal Music Group Nashville’s umbrella are imprints Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville, and Mercury Nashville. Their combined rosters include Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Boy Named Banjo, Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Catie Offerman, Caylee Hammack, CB30, Chris Stapleton, Dalton Dover, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, George Strait, Hootie & The Blowfish, Jon Langston, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Kassi Ashton, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Kylie Morgan, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Luke Grimes, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block, Reba McEntire, Sam Hunt, Sam Williams, The War And Treaty, Travis Denning, Tyler Hubbard and Vince Gill.